The Assessment of the Accumulation and Consumption Hazard of Five Heavy Metals in Eleven Species of Fish in Persian Gulf Waters (Bandar Mahshahr, Khuzestan Province)

The goal of this study was to determine the absorption of five toxic heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Chromium, and Arsenic) in muscle tissues of eleven species of fish in the waters of Khuzestan province- Bandar Mahshahr. For this purpose, 66 fishes, with the typical market weight were randomly selected. After performing biometrics assessment on samples, the muscle tissue was removed. The amount of estimated daily intake (EDI), estimated weekly intake (EWI), maximum allowable consumption limit (Cr), maximum allowable meals consumed (CR) and adults and the hazard quotient of the consumption of these fishes with regard to non-cancerous diseases (THQ) for 11 species were calculated. The concentration of metals was lower in comparison with the standards of MAFF, NHMRC and WHO, but in some cases was higher than USEPA standard. The hazard quotient for non-cancerous diseases all eleven species less than one, and for lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, and arsenic, was calculated to be 0.018, 0.0237, .0428, 0.1146, and 0.0295, respectively. Also, the total hazard index (HI) in this research was obtained to be 0.221. The analysis of the accumulation and consumption hazard of five heavy metals in eleven species under study from the coastal waters of Khuzestan- Bandar Mahshahr shows that although the consumption of these fishes any hazard to consumers in connection with their health, however, with regard to the amount of their consumption by pregnant women and children considerations must be complied with.