Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of health risks from exposure to arsenic and heavy metals through consumption of ten fish species

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, the levels of 11 heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) were determined in ten different fish species (wild, farmed, freshwater, and marine) frequently consumed in Turkey and compared with the maximum permissible limits (MPLs) established by international standards. Also, human health risks for the consumers were assessed. Among 11 HMs, only Al and Cr levels did not show significant differences among fish species. The highest concentrations of As were found in red mullet, which is a demersal fish. The average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb in all fish species were below the MPLs, whereas those of Zn in European anchovy and Mediterranean horse mackerel, and that of inorganic As in red mullet exceeded the MPLs. The highest and lowest toxic metal contents (Al, As, Cd, and Pb) were recorded in red mullet and farmed rainbow trout, respectively. The estimated daily intakes of HMs in each fish species were very lower than their corresponding tolerable daily intakes, suggesting the daily intake of HMs through fish consumption would not pose health risks for the consumers. The target hazard quotient for individual HMs and hazard index for combined HMs in fish species were below 1, which indicated that non-carcinogenic health effects are not expected. The carcinogenic risk results revealed that there was a carcinogenic risk from exposure to inorganic As via the consumption of red mullet. Among all investigated fish species, rainbow trout and common carp were safer in terms of both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from exposure to HMs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Assisi A, Banzi R, Buonocore C, Capasso F, Di Muzio V, Michelacci F, Renzo D, Tafuri G, Trotta F, Vitocolonna M, Garattini S (2006) Fish oil and mental health: the role of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cognitive development and neurological disorders. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 21:319–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosch AC, O’Neill B, Sigge GO, Kerwath SE, Hoffman LC (2016) Heavy metals in marine fish meat and consumer health: a review. J Sci Food Agric 96:32–48

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Copat C, Arena G, Fiore M, Ledda C, Fallico R, Sciacca S, Ferrante M (2013) Heavy metals concentrations in fish and shellfish from eastern Mediterranean Sea: consumption advisories. Food Chem Toxicol 53:33–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dadar M, Adel M, Ferrante M, Saravi HN, Copat C, Conti GO (2016) Potential risk assessment of trace metals accumulation in food, water and edible tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farmed in Haraz River, northern Iran. Toxin Rev 35:141–146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Djedjibegovic J, Larssen T, Skrbo A, Marjanovic A, Sober M (2012) Contents of cadmium, copper, mercury and lead in fish from the Neretva river (Bosnia and Herzegovina) determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Food Chem 131:469–476

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Durmaz E, Kocagöz R, Bilacan E, Orhan H (2017) Metal pollution in biotic and abiotic samples of the Büyük Menderes River, Turkey. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:4274–4283

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Durmuş M, Kosker AR, Ozogul Y, Aydin M, Uçar Y, Ayas D, Ozogul F (2018) The effects of sex and season on the metal levels and proximate composition of red mullet (Mullus barbatus Linnaeus 1758) caught from the Middle Black Sea. Hum Ecol Risk Assess 24:731–742

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EC (Commission of the European Communities) (2006) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006: setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. Off J Eur Union Legis 364

  • EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2009) Scientific opinion on the use of cobalt compounds as additives in animal nutrition. EFSA J 7(12):1383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2010) Scientific opinion on lead in food. EFSA J 8(4):1570

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2014) Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for chromium. EFSA J 12(10):3845

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ercan O, Şahin A (2016) Analysis of fish meat consumption at Kahramanmaraş city centre. KSU J Nat Sci 19:51–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Fallah AA, Saei-Dehkordi SS, Nematollahi A, Jafari T (2011) Comparative study of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues of farmed and wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using ICP-OES technique. Microchem J 98:275–279

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) (1983) Compilation of legal limits for hazardous substances in fish and fishery products. FAO Fishery Circular No. 464. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Finley BL, Monnot AD, Paustenbach DJ, Gaffney SH (2012) Derivation of a chronic oral reference dose for cobalt. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 64:491–503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FSANZ (Food Standards Australia and New Zealand) (2013) Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, Standard 1.4.1, contaminants and natural toxicants. http://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2013C00140/

  • Griboff J, Wunderlin DA, Monferran MV (2017) Metals, As and Se determination by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in edible fish collected from three eutrophic reservoirs. Their consumption represents a risk for human health? Microchem J 130:236–244

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hellberg RS, DeWitt CAM, Morrissey MT (2012) Risk-benefit analysis of seafood consumption: a review. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 11:490–517

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) (1982) Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. Twenty-sixth Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. WHO Technical Report Series, No 683. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) (1983) Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. Twenty-seventh report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. (WHO technical report series, No 696. World Health Organization, Geneva

  • JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) (1989) Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. Thirty-third report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. WHO technical report series, No 776. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) (2011a) Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. Seventy-fourth report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. WHO technical report series, No 966. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) (2011b) Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. Seventy-third report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. WHO technical report series, No 960. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalyoncu L, Kalyoncu H, Arslan G (2012) Determination of heavy metals and metals levels in five fish species from Işıklı Dam Lake and Karacaören Dam Lake (Turkey). Environ Monit Assess 184:2231–2235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karadede H, Oymak SA, Ünlü E (2004) Heavy metals in mullet, Liza abu, and catfish, Silurus triostegus, from the Atatürk Dam Lake (Euphrates), Turkey. Environ Int 30:183–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kucuksezgin F, Kontas A, Altay O, Uluturhan E, Darılmaz E (2006) Assessment of marine pollution in Izmir Bay: nutrient, heavy metal and total hydrocarbon concentrations. Environ Int 32:41–51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Gomez C, Fernandez B, Benedicto J, Valdes J, Campillo JA, Leon VM, Vethaak AD (2012) Health status of red mullets from polluted areas of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, with special reference to Portman (SE Spain). Mar Environ Res 77:50–59

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Medeiros RJ, Santos LMG, Gonçalves JM, Braga AMCB, Krauss TM, Jacob SC (2014) Comparison of the nutritional and toxicological reference values of trace elements in edible marine fish species consumed by the population in Rio De Janeiro State, Brazil. Toxicol Rep 1:353–359

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MHPRC (Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China) (2013) National Food Safety Standard, maximum levels of contaminants in foods (GB2762-2012)

  • Naccari C, Cicero N, Ferrantelli V, Giangrosso G, Vella A, Macaluso A, Naccari F, Dugo G (2015) Toxic metals in pelagic, benthic and demersal fish species from Mediterranean FAO zone 37. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 95:567–573

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neff MR, Bhavsar SP, Ni FJ, Carpenter DO, Drouillard K, Fisk AT, Arts MT (2014) Risk-benefit of consuming Lake Erie fish. Environ Res 134:57–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noel L, Chekri R, Millour S, Merlo M, Leblanc JC, Guerin T (2013) Distribution and relationships of As, Cd, Pb and Hg in freshwater fish from five French fishing areas. Chemosphere 90:1900–1910

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MS, Molla AH, Saha N, Rahman A (2012) Study on heavy metals levels and its risk assessment in some edible fishes from Bangshi River, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Food Chem 134:1847–1854

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saha N, Mollah MZI, Alam MF, Rahman MS (2016) Seasonal investigation of heavy metals in marine fishes captured from the Bay of Bengal and the implications for human health risk assessment. Food Control 70:110–118

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tao Y, Yuan Z, Xiaona H, Wei M (2012) Distribution and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic organisms of different trophic levels and potential health risk assessment from Taihu Lake, China. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 81:55–64

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tekin-Özan S (2014) Seasonal variations of some heavy metals in bogue (Boops boops) inhabiting Antalya bay-Mediterrenean sea, Turkey. Indian J Mar Sci 43(2):198–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Türkmen M, Türkmen A, Tepe Y (2008) Metal contaminations in five fish species from Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean seas, Turkey. J Chil Chem Soc 53(1)

  • Türkmen M, Türkmen A, Tepe Y, Töre Y, Ateş A (2009) Determination of metals in fish species from Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Food Chem 113:233–237

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Türkmen A, Tepe Y, Türkmen M (2016) Determination of metals in tissues of fish species from Hurmabogazı Lagoon. Indian J Mar Sci 45(2):277–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuzen M (2009) Toxic and essential trace elemental contents in fish species from the Black Sea, Turkey. Food Chem Toxicol 47:1785–1790

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) (1989) Risk assessment guidance for superfund. Volume I: human health evaluation manual (Part A). Interim Final Office of Emergency and Remedial Response EPA/540/1-89/002

  • USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) (1991a) Human health evaluation manual, supplemental guidance: standard default exposure factors. OSWER Directive 9285.6-03

  • USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) (1991b) Risk assessment guidance for superfund, volume I: human health evaluation manual (Part B, development of risk-based preliminary remediation goals). Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. EPA/540/R-92/003

  • USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) (2011) Exposure factors handbook 2011 edition (Final). National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, Washington D.C

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) (2019a). Regional screening levels (RSLs) – equations. https://www.epa.gov/risk/regional-screening-levels-rsls-equations

  • USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) (2019b) Regional screening level (RSL) summary table (TR=1E-06 THQ=1.0). https://semspub.epa.gov/work/HQ/197414.pdf

  • USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) (2019c) RSL calculator. https://epa-prgs.ornl.gov/cgi-bin/chemicals/csl_search

  • Varol M, Sünbül MR (2017) Comparison of heavy metal levels of farmed and escaped farmed rainbow trout and health risk assessment associated with their consumption. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:23114–23124

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Varol M, Sünbül MR (2018) Multiple approaches to assess human health risks from carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic metals via consumption of five fish species from a large reservoir in Turkey. Sci Total Environ 633:684–694

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Varol M, Kaya GK, Alp A (2017) Heavy metal and arsenic concentrations in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farmed in a dam reservoir on the Firat (Euphrates) River: risk-based consumption advisories. Sci Total Environ 599-600:1288–1296

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Varol M, Kaya GK, Alp SA, Sünbül MR (2018) Trace metal levels in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cultured in net cages in a reservoir and evaluation of human health risks from consumption. Biol Trace Elem Res 184:268–278

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wei YH, Zhang JY, Zhang DW, Tu TH, Luo LG (2014) Metal concentrations in various fish organs of different fish species from Poyang Lake, China. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 104:182–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (World Health Organization) (2011) Guidelines for drinking water quality, 4th edn. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO/FAO (World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization) (2015) Codex Alimentarius Commission, general standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed. CODEX STAN 193-1995

  • Yu Y, Wang X, Yang D, Lei B, Zhang X, Zhang X (2014) Evaluation of human health risks posed by carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic multiple contaminants associated with consumption of fish from Taihu Lake, China. Food Chem Toxicol 69:86–93

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Special thanks are given to the editor Professor Philippe Garrigues and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions for improving this manuscript.

Funding

The research was funded by the Munzur University Scientific Projects Coordination Department (YLTUB018-05).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Fisheries, Malatya Turgut Özal University, Malatya, Turkey

    Memet Varol

  2. Faculty of Fisheries, Munzur University, Tunceli, Turkey

    Gülderen Kurt Kaya

  3. East Mediterranean Transitional Zone Agricultural Research of Institute, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

    Muhammet Raşit Sünbül

Authors
  1. Memet Varol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gülderen Kurt Kaya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Muhammet Raşit Sünbül
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Memet Varol.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 38 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Varol, M., Kaya, G.K. & Sünbül, M.R. Evaluation of health risks from exposure to arsenic and heavy metals through consumption of ten fish species. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 33311–33320 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06450-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06450-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation