Human health risk assessment from heavy metals in three dominant fish species of the Ankobra river, Ghana
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Date
2021-05-24
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Abstract
This study assessed heavy metal contamination of fish and its associated health risk to communities around the
Ankobra River in the Western Region of Ghana. Species of fish randomly collected from different sections of the
river were analyzed for Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Mn, Hg, As, Co and Cr using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Three
commonly consumed fish species, Clarias gariepinus, Sarotherodon melanotheron and Pseudotolithus senegalensis,
were analyzed. The health risks were assessed based on the potential non-carcinogenic effect associated with the
daily consumption of fish by communities around the river. Concentrations of all the metals were higher in gills
than the muscles of all three species. On average, levels of Mn (6.65 ± 7.30 mg.kg 1), Zn (2.24 ± 1.99 mg.kg 1)
and Hg (3.06 ± 1.53 mg.kg 1) in all three species were above the permissible limits recommended by the World
Health Organization. The health risk estimated for all the heavy metals was < 1, significantly below the ≥ 1
index associated with the incidence of cancer. This suggests that fish species examined in this study pose no
significant non-carcinogenic risk and are safe for human consumption.
Description
Toxicology reports, 8, 1081-1086
Keywords
Samuel Kofi Tulashie, Joshua Adotey, Heavy metals, Health risk assessment, Fish, University of Cape-Coast, Ghana, ACECOR
Citation
Effah, E., Aheto, D. W., Acheampong, E., Tulashie, S. K., & Adotey, J. (2021). Human health risk assessment from heavy metals in three dominant fish species of the Ankobra river, Ghana. Toxicology reports, 8, 1081-1086.