Emerging endocrine disruptors in two edible fish from the Persian Gulf: Occurrence, congener profile, and human health risk assessment

Abstract

The occurrence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been determined in two widely consumed fish species from Persian Gulf i.e., Epinephelus coioides and Platycephalus indicus by applying a validated analytical for the simultaneous detection of fourteen EDCs. The concentrations of all detected EDCs were greater in the liver than in the muscle (except for bisphenol A in P. indicus), suggesting a prolonged exposure of the fishes to these pollutants in the Persian Gulf. Specifically, the results showed that di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the compound detected most frequently and at the highest concentration in both species. DEHP levels in ranged from 6.68 to 297.48 μg g-dw−1 and from 13.32 to 350.52 μg g-dw−1, in muscle and in liver, respectively. A risk assessment study was conducted, and demonstrated that consuming two fish based- meals per week may result in a moderate risk especially for vulnerable population groups.