Heavy Metal Tissue Concentrations and Human Health Risks of Commonly Consumed Fish Species Coptodon zilli and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus Sold from Markets in Warri, Metropolitan City, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Contamination of heavy metals in aquatic organisms is a significant cause of concern worldwide due to the fact that these contaminants may bioaccumulate in tissues and pose health risks to humans who consume these fish species. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to investigate the tissue concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and Cd in two commonly consumed fish species, Coptodon zilli and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, from markets in Warri Metropolitan City, Delta State, Nigeria, using Atomic Absorption Spectrophometer (Model AA 500L). The metals were ranked in order of Fe> Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd in the tissues of both fish species. The mean values of Fe, Zn and Cd in both fish species were above the permissible limits of FAO/WHO. The estimated daily intake (EDI) was below the provisional tolerable intake (PTI). The target hazard quotient and hazard index of all metals were below 1, indicating that the consumption of these fish species is not hazardous to the population of Warri community. However, continuous monitoring of the levels of heavy metals in various fish species commonly eaten is recommended, as the possible accumulation of these metals can eventually pose a human risk to the populace.