Lead Concentration in Commercially Valuable Fish Species from Hatiya Island, Bangladesh

Author: Taspiya Hamid, Abdullah Al Mahmud, Saif Khan Sunny, Tasmira Hamid
DOI: doi.org/10.70279/bmj-v8-i1-1040
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This investigation was carried out to determine lead (Pb) contamination and the potential human health risk from this contamination of five commercially valuable fish species collected from Hatiya Island at the river mouth of the Meghna River. The concentration of Pb was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Moreover, Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR) were used to determine the human health risk of Pb. The highest concentration of lead was found in Pangas (Pangasius pangasius) (2.87 mg/kg), followed by Loitta (Harpadon nehereus) (2.72 mg/kg), Bata (Cirrhinus reba) (2.47 mg/kg), Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) (2.14 mg/kg) and Poa (Otolithoides pama) (1.81 mg/kg). Based on the findings, Pb accumulation was found highest in Pangas fish collected from the Island. The average concentration of Pb was higher in the brackish water fishes than in the freshwater fishes. In addition, comparative studies revealed that the amount of Pb found in the samples was much higher than the recommended values, and similarity was found with the previous studies conducted in the Meghna River estuary. However, potential health risks were found higher for children from the assessment. This study ranked the concentration of Pb among five different fishes as follows: Pangasius pangasius > Harpadon nehereus > Cirrhinus reba > Oreochromis mossambicus > Otolithoides pama. EDI, THQ, and CR revealed that Pb levels were significantly elevated, posing substantial risks to human health., the condition was not yet concerning for any age group. However, EDI, THQ, and CR all suggested that the threat due to Pb was not concerning yet.