Cancer risk from heavy metal contamination in fish and implications for public health
Abstract
This study evaluates heavy metal contamination in fish and its associated health risks, focusing on the implications for global public health. Fish samples were analyzed using advanced techniques, including Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) with a hydride generator for arsenic, and a mercury analyzer. Results revealed significant contamination levels, with arsenic concentrations ranging from 0.9 ± 0.1 to 3.2 ± 0.2 mg/kg (mean: 2.24 ± 0.76 mg/kg), exceeding the WHO limit of 2 mg/kg in 75% of samples. Mercury concentrations (mean: 1.4917 mg/kg) surpassed the WHO limit of 0.5 mg/kg in all samples, while cadmium levels sometimes exceeded permissible limits. Statistical analysis indicated substantial variability in metal concentrations among samples, supported by Principal Component Analysis and Pearson’s correlation, identifying distinct pollution patterns and sources. Health risk assessments showed significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, particularly for children. Arsenic, chromium, and mercury presented hazard quotients exceeding safe thresholds, with cumulative hazard indices confirming elevated risks (HI = 14.5 for adults, 44.1 for children). The findings suggest the pressing need for global strategies to monitor and manage heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
Cited in this thesis
Frequently Cited Together
- Identification of the Species of Origin for Meat Products by Rapid Evaporative I1 chapter
- Fishers' preference for mobile traceability platform: challenges in achieving a 1 chapter
- Automatic design of convolutional neural network architectures under resource co1 chapter
- Unlocking the combined impact of microplastics and emerging contaminants on fish1 chapter
- Microplastic contamination in wild freshwater fish: global trends, challenges an1 chapter
- Adaptive mixtures of local experts1 chapter
BibTeX
@article{Cobbinah2025,
title = {Cancer risk from heavy metal contamination in fish and implications for public health},
author = {Cobbinah, Richard Tsiwah and Boadi, Nathaniel Owusu and Saah, Selina Ama and Agorku, Eric Selorm and Badu, Mercy and Kortei, Nii Korley},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {24162},
year = {2025},
publisher = {Nature Publishing Group UK London},
abstract = {This study evaluates heavy metal contamination in fish and its associated health risks, focusing on the implications for global public health. Fish samples were analyzed using advanced techniques, including Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) with a hydride generator for arsenic, and a mercury analyzer. Results revealed significant contamination levels, with arsenic concentrations ranging from 0.9 ± 0.1 to 3.2 ± 0.2 mg/kg (mean: 2.24 ± 0.76 mg/kg), exceeding the WHO limit of 2 mg/kg in 75% of samples. Mercury concentrations (mean: 1.4917 mg/kg) surpassed the WHO limit of 0.5 mg/kg in all samples, while cadmium levels sometimes exceeded permissible limits. Statistical analysis indicated substantial variability in metal concentrations among samples, supported by Principal Component Analysis and Pearson’s correlation, identifying distinct pollution patterns and sources. Health risk assessments showed significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, particularly for children. Arsenic, chromium, and mercury presented hazard quotients exceeding safe thresholds, with cumulative hazard indices confirming elevated risks (HI = 14.5 for adults, 44.1 for children). The findings suggest the pressing need for global strategies to monitor and manage heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems.},
}