Determination of Arsenic and Trace Elements Exposure in Commercial Fishes on the Iran Market: Health Risk Assessment

Consuming food contaminated with toxic heavy metals is a main exposure rout of these substances entering the human body and is a serious threat to the health of communities. The present study aimed to estimate human health risk when exposed to arsenic and heavy metals due to the consumption of commercial fish in Iranian market. Nine species of commercial fishes were supplied from the public market in the city of Mashhad, Iran. Ninety samples were randomly selected from nine each species, and then concentration of heavy metals was measured. The concentration of heavy metals was measured with an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer. The health risk assessment-based EPA model was used to explore carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks. Hazard Quotient (THQ) in all species was less than 1 for adults, but the hazard index of all species was higher than 1, with a mean value of 2.09 ± 0.33 ranging between 1.3 and 2.86. The hazard quotient for children was higher than 1 in two metals, lead, and zinc. The hazard index for all was higher than 1, with a mean value of 6.39 ± 1.60 ranging between 4.21 and 8.77. Cancer risk (CR) assessment showed that in adults, the three metals arsenic, cadmium, and lead were within the safe range (CR ≥1×10^-4) and only chromium was in the borderline of CR. Among children, the CR for cadmium and lead was in the safe range (CR ≥1×10^-4) and for arsenic and chromium was in the borderline. There are potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with consuming the fish commonly sold in Iranian market. The presence of heavy metals in aquatic products consumed in Mashhad can affect consumers’ health. The results of this monitoring can facilitate health decision-making and improve human health.