Dietary intake of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb) through consumption of fish and fishery products in Cairo and Giza Cites

Abstract

Forty eight samples of fish (fresh and frozen), and fish products (Salted and smoked fish) 14 each, were collected from seven regions in Cairo and Giza governments. Samples were directly transferred to the lab and stored at refrigeration temperature till examination. Cadmium, Lead and Mercury residues in fish and fishery product were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES). The estimated daily intakes (EDI) for Cd, Pb and Hg were calculated by multiplying the metal concentration (mean value) of the determined fish samples by the weight of fish consumed per capita in Egypt. Significantly higher Cd concentration in salted sardine (0.37±.297mg/kg) than all other examined samples is recorded. Moreover, the lowest concentration is noticed in basa fillets (0.012±.011 mg/kg). In general, the result revealed that lead contributed the lowest dietary intake (12.85%) followed by mercury (73.97%) while cadmium contributed the highest (142.97%) dietary intake from fish and fishery products. The estimated values of all metals in examined samples in this study were below the established values; except for Cd in samples exceed the permissible limit. Therefore, Cd may constitute health hazard and health problems for consumers.