Risk Assessment of Non-Carcinogenic Effects of Heavy Metals from Dez River Fish

Background and purpose: Considering the many benefits of fish in the food basket, it is essential to assess its health risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk assessment effects of heavy metals from Dez river fish. Materials and Methods: In order to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the edible parts of fish, 80 samples were caught from the local species of Dez River, and after the bioassay, they were digested using the combination of 1:4 perchloric acid and nitric acid; afterwards, the concentration of heavy metals was measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The results showed that there was a positive correlation between accumulating metals and condition factor, especially with regard to zinc and cadmium; this correlation was more likely to be observed for the Capoeta trutta species. Also, comparing the daily and weekly intake of heavy metals with the rate limits of PTDI and PTWI has shown that the absorption value of metals were considerably lower than the specified limit.  Conclusion: The high level of CRlim showed safe consumption of fish in Dez River considering the potential health risk. Zinc and cadmium had also the highest share percent in finding out the TTHQ index. Also, the Target Hazard Quotient and Total Target Hazard Quotient were not higher than the one for all of the studied metals and species. The Capoeta trutta and Carasobarbus luteus species had the most and least amounts of TTHQ index. Finally, comparing the means of metal concentrations with standard ones has shown that the concentrations of zinc and cadmium were higher than the United Kingdom Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, Food and Drug Administer, Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO/WH limits and the international standards of European Commission and National Health and Medical Research Council, respectively.