Estimation of Daily Intake and Potential Risk of Cadmium and Lead in Consumers of Liza salines in the Eastern Coast of the Caspian Sea

Background and Fish Consumption Guidelines have been established by some countries to guard the public from the potentially harmful health effects related to eating contaminated fish. Guidelines are according to estimations of the health risks linked to concentrations of contaminating chemicals found in fish, and the mean levels of consumption of fish in general population. Fish is an important source of nutrition in coast of the Caspian Sea; but, little is known about the health risks associated with concentrations of metals in fish. The aims of this research was to estimate the daily intake and risk assessment of heavy metals via consumption of Liza salines captured from Gomishan wetland and to provide reliable guidelines on fish consumption. The samples of fish (Liza salines) were randomly collected from different stations in Gomishan wetland. The heavy metals were extracted from the fish muscle by the wet digestion procedure (Nitric acid and Perchloric acid). The concentrations of heavy metals were determined using the GFAAS. Daily intake and potential risk were estimated according to the guideline of the US-EPA. The accumulated heavy metals in muscle of Liza salines were found to be lower than international standard levels. The highest and lowest daily intake values were observed in Cd and Pb, respectively. The estimated daily and weekly intake values for metals were found lower than the guidelines proposed by Environmental Protection Agency. This study showed that Target Hazard Quotients and Hazard Index values are less than 1. The results of all estimations (Estimated Daily Intake, Estimated Weekly Intake, Target Hazard Quotients and Hazard Index) indicates that no health risks would arise from the long-term consumption of these fish species.