Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Contaminated in Giant Perch (Lates calcarifer) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Sold in Chachoengsao Municipal Market, Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the concentrations of heavy metals; namely lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in Giant Perch (Lates calcarifer) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and risk assessment on the consumption of Fish sold in fresh markets in Chachoengsao Municipal, Muang Chachoengsao District, Chachoengsao Province. The heavy metal concentrations were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that average concentrations of Pb, cadmium Cd and Hg in Giant Perch were 0.05±0.04, 0.00 and 0.11±0.02 mg/kg, respectively and the average concentrations of Pb, Cd and Hg in Nile Tilapia  were 0.01±0.03, ND and 0.03±0.01 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of three heavy metals in samples were lower than the standard level of the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand and European Commission Regulation. Risk assessment of the lead, cadmium and mercury found that their hazard quotient in the range of 0.0002-0.0074. It indicated that the consumption of both fish had no health risk. However, long term consumption of fish, consumers should be careful because the contamination of heavy metal can cause the health impact.