Heavy metals in i Scomberomorus commerson /i from Sistan-Baluchestan and Hormozgan Provinces: accumulation and consumer health risk assessment

This study examined the levels of four heavy metals including cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) and their potential health risks for consumers in the commercially important fish species Scomberomorus commerson, collected from Sistan-Baluchestan and Hormozgan provinces, Iran. Sixty samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metals concentration in liver and muscle tissues using an ICP-OES atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PerkinElmer, Model:Optima DV 2000). The mercury content was measured using the Atomic Absorption method (novAA 400P, analytikjena) with a hydride production technique. The study also calculated the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) of heavy metals. The study revealed variations in metal concentration across different sampling stations and tissues. Samples from Chabahar had higher levels of heavy metals compared to samples from Hormozgan, and the concentration of these metals in the liver was higher than in the muscle, except for Pb, which was slightly higher in the muscle of Hormozgan samples than in the liver. The heavy metals accumulation in the samples followed the pattern of Zn Pb Cd Hg. Among the metals studied, only the Pb concentration in fish muscle from Chabahar exceeded international standards, however the average THQ calculated for all metals was less than 1. The high level of Pb concentration could be due to extensive industrial activities and, to a lesser extent, industrial effluents and human pollution. Therefore, with the industrial sector expanding in this area, especially in shipping, it is recommended to regularly monitor heavy metals.