Determination of heavy metals (Pb, Cd & Hg) Accumulation in Nemipterus japonicas in the Northern Persian Gulf and reveal health risks

In this experiment, the concentration of three heavy metals of Cd, Pb and Hg were measured in tissue of Nemipterus japonicus in the Northern Persian Gulf in 2015. The importance point is to control any possibility of risk for human consumption. The 30 specimens were collected under standard conditions; and after preparation process, the measurements were done by using atomic absorption. The results revealed that the mean ± SD of Pb and Hg in muscle tissue of threadfin bream were measured 2.00±0.246 and 1.02± 0.026 mg/kg of dry weight. The highest and lowest value for Pb and Hg were measured as 2.40, 1.09 and 1.55, 1.00 mg/kg of dry weight, and the measured absorbed Cd in all samples were lower than detectable limit. The Daily Intake (DI) for Pb, Cd and Hg were 46.56, 1.62 and 23.74 mg/day per person and HQ were measured as 1.0, 1.0, and 0.874. After comparing with the standards it was found that the amount of lead in muscle of threadfin bream in Bushehr waters were over than the World Health Organization (WHO) and equal to the standard of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, UK (UKMAFF); and is standard according to the Food America and Drug Administration (FDA). Also amount of Hg in this study was much higher than the three standard indices. Referring to HQ index, human consumption of Nemipterus japonicus from point of Pb,Cd and Hg does not have any danger and the acceptable level of Pb, Cd and Hg intake for good health in order 0.875,1.00 and 0.006 and 6.125,7.0 and 0.042 mg/day and g/week are recommended.Concentrations of lead and mercury in the two sexes in Nemipterus japonicus no significant differences in the concentration(p>0.05), of cadmium, but there was a significant difference in males and females(p<0.05).