Human biomonitoring of heavy metals exposure in different age- and gender-groups based on fish consumption patterns in typical coastal cities of China

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate heavy metals (HMs) concentrations in human hair based on fish consumption patterns in Qingdao, Xiamen, and Zhoushan. The (HMs) concentrations were determined using acid digestion and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS, NexION 300X, PerkinElmer). The associated health risks were investigated using risk assessment models described by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The order of fish HMs concentration in Qingdao was Cd<Pb<As>Cr<Cu<Zn, while The in Zhoushan and Xiamen the order was Cd<Pb<Cr<Cu<As<Zn. The highest concentrations of HMs in fish were found in Zhoushan and lowest in Xiamen. Zn showed the highest values in fish, while Cd and Pb were the lowest. The Cr concentration in Scomberomorus niphonius collected in Qingdao exceeded the safety standards. The HMs in both male and female hair followed a descending order of Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>As>Cd in all three study areas. The hair Zn concentration in 28 % of the studied population exceeded the safety standards. Overall, the hair HMs concentration was found to be high in middle-aged groups (19–45 and 45–59), and the hair HMs concentrations were high, especially in the case of females. A significant correlation was noticed between hair As (0.119; p < 0.05), Cr (0.231; p < 0.05),) and Cu (0.117; p < 0.05),) and fish consumption frequency. High Odd ratios (>2) were noticed for As, Cu and Zn in high fish-eating frequency. A significant non-carcinogenic risk was noticed in human Cr exposure (1.10E+00) in Xiamen, and the hazard index values indicated non-carcinogenic risk in Xiamen and Zhoushan. The carcinogenic risk for human As exposure (2.50E-05–7.09E-03) indicated a significant cancer risk.