Anglers’ Perceptions and Fish Consumption Risks in the Lower Tisza River Basin

Abstract

This study identifies risk perception and actual health risks from exposure to metals in fish from the Tisza River Basin of central Europe. Mining in the region has chronically introduced metals; however, two major mine-tailings spill in 2000 contributed an estimated 240,000 m3 of wastewater and tailings contaminated with cyanide and metals to the system. In 2013 and 2014, water and fish (N = 99) collected from the lower Tisza River Basin were analyzed for cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc. Concurrently, surveys (N = 45) collected near sampling sites assessed fish-consumption patterns and risk perception. Metals in water exceeded regulatory criteria at multiple sites; however, metals are not bioaccumulating to a degree of undue concern in fish as bioaccumulation factors were below 1. Average concentrations of metals in fish fillets (µg g−1 wet weight) in decreasing order were zinc (8.8) > copper (0.14) > nickel (0.06) > lead (0.02) > cadmium (0.004). Fillets were within European Food Safety Authority recommendations; however, the Target Hazard Quotient for lead was elevated at 1.5 for average consumers and 3.5 for people who consume fish twice weekly. The majority of survey participants were unconcerned with local fish consumption (87 %), citing the “clean” appearance of fishing locations. Participants also reported relatively low fish consumption, with most (76 %) eating basin fish once a week or less. While our study indicates fish are generally safe for human consumption, waters are polluted, suggesting that local fishing populations may be at risk from unseen pollutants and highlighting the need for monitoring and notification systems.