Toxic Metal Contents and Potential Human Health Risk Assessment in Cultured Trout Sampled from Samsun Fish Market

Abstract

Metals are a severe threat because of their toxicity, protracted persistence, bio-accumulative nature, and biomagnification in the food chain. This study carried out to investigate the potential health hazards of four hazardous metallic elements via trout consumption. Twenty specimens of big trout were purchased between March and June 2022 from Samsun Fish Market. The metallic elements were assessed by the contamination level of non-essential arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) in the edible tissues of big trout. The results didn't show any significant differences between months. The lowest metal level was Cd, followed by Hg Pb and As. The findings of the assessment of potential dangers to human health revealed that the indices for estimated weekly intake (EWI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) are below the specified welfare standards. Additionally, there was no potential carcinogenic risk to human health because the total THQs, hazard index (HI) and the total carcinogenic risk (TCR) index fell below the thresholds. In conclusion, it was determined that the consumption of O. mykiss taken from Samsun Fish Market did not cause any health problems.