Health risk assessment of heavy metals in smoked-dried African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Ikole Ekiti markets, Southwestern Nigeria

Author: A. M. Akinsorotan, A. O. Iyiola, O. O. Adejayi I.T. Ogunremi, O. O. Awoniyi, A. O. Issa and J. S. Kelau
ademola.akinsorotan@fuoye.edu.ng
Abstract:
Pollution by heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems has become the central focus of environmental research, due to the threat it poses to consumers of fish products. This study assessed the accumulation levels and potential human health risks associated with heavy metals in smoked-dried African catfish obtained from major markets in Ikole Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria. Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) were analysed from the three major markets namely: Odo Oro market (OOM), Ijesha Isu market (IIM) and Ikole Main market (IMM) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Mean concentrations of Cd, Cu, Cr, and Pb were highest in IMM with 4.24 ± 0.27mg/kg, 23.85 ± 0.88mg/kg, 11.40 ± 0.94mg/kg, and 5.28 ± 0.94mg/kg, respectively while Zn concentration was highest in OOM with 16.17 ± 0.87mg/kg. The Health Risk Assessment (HRA), Estimated Daily Intake of Metals (DIM), Health Quotient (HQ) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) had mean ranges of 0.29 – 14.66, 0.12 – 6.49, 3.47 – 172.48 and 0.00 – 0.06, respectively. The children were observed to have high values of HRA, DIM, and HQ greater than one (1) which implied that children were more susceptible to heavy metal toxicity because of bioaccumulation at their latter stages of life. Adults were exposed to fewer risks than teenagers. However, exposure of humans to daily intake greater than the maximum limit of body weight may have carcinogenic effects on the population; therefore, measures to decrease the discharge into receiving waters should be canvassed and adopted for healthy fish product consumption.

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Key Words: Heavy metal toxicity, African Catfish, Bioaccumulation, Health implications.
To Cite this Article Copy and paste this in your writting:
A.M. Akinsorotan, A.O. Iyiola, O.O. Adejayi, I.T. Ogunremi, O.O. Awoniyi, A. O. Issa and J. S. Kelau (2024). Health risk assessment of heavy metals in smoked-dried African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Ikole Ekiti markets, Southwestern Nigeria. Annals of Anim. Bio. Res., 4(1): 36-47

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