Tuna fish and common kilka: health risk assessment of metal pollution through consumption of canned fish in Iran

Abstract

Samples of four popular brands of canned fish consumed in Iran were analyzed for levels and determination of health risk assessment of Cd, Hg, Pb, Se, Sn and Zn after wet digestion with acids by ICP-OES and DMA. The results showed that the contents of Cd, Hg, Pb, Se, Sn and Zn (µg/g) in canned samples were 0.10 ± 0.04, 0.13 ± 0.05, 0.75 ± 0.65, 2.04 ± 0.43, 0.18 ± 0.03 and 12.61 ± 11.92, respectively. Evaluation of these levels showed that except for Cd and Pb, the average contents of other metals are significantly lower than adverse level for the human consumption. Also, HRI values were within the safe limits (HRI <1), and there are no potential health risk for adults and children via consumption of canned fish. Finally, the content of Cd and Pb was higher than MPL in the canned fish samples. Due to the discharge of pollutants into the aquatic environments, heavy metals content and pesticides residue monitoring in the foodstuff is recommended.