Health Risk Assessment of Hazardous Metals in Seafood from Ka-Bangha River, Khana, Rivers State, Nigeria

Patrick-Iwuanyanwu Et Al., Kingsley C.

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2022.243662

Health Risk Assessment of Hazardous Metals in Seafood from Ka-Bangha River, Khana, Rivers State, Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Kingsley C. Patrick-Iwuanyanwu et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2022.243662

Abstract

Seafood constitutes a major source of food consumed by the majority of people residing in Ka-Bangha of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. This study investigated the levels of metals, viz. Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Mn, and Fe in fish samples comprising of E. bostrichus, L. lutjanuu, P. polynemus, B. cristictis, C. ethomolussa, P. pomadasys, C. caranx, S. scumbrius, S. sinoglosis and B. citharicthys collected from the Ka-Bangha River. The samples contained a detectable amount of heavy metals of interest. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of Pb, Cd, Zn, Mn, and Fe were within the tolerable daily intake of metals (TDI) and the upper tolerable daily intake of metals (UTDI) recommended by FDA. The EDI of Cr was within the oral reference dose of Cr in the body system. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values of all the analyzed metals were less than 1. Results from the study showed that about 30% of the analyzed fish species recorded hazard index (HI) values> 1. Furthermore, the lifetime cancer risk (LCR) of Pb and about 70% of Cd fall within the range of permissible predicted lifetime risks for carcinogens as recommended by USEPA. The LCR of Cr exceeded the limit recommended by USEPA. This study indicates that the exposed population may be at risk of heavy metal contamination over time due to the consumption of fish contaminated with heavy metals.

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