Investigation of heavy metal levels in some fishes consumed in Bingöl

In this study, 8 different fish species rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), ), sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), Mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus), sea bream (Sparus aurata), coral (Sparus pagrus), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) and red mullet (Mullus barbatus) were purchased at the fish market of Bingöl. For each species, five samples were collected and the concentrations of 11 elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in muscle tissue of fish samples. According to the results obtained in the study, the highest average Al concentration in sea bream (1.53 mg / kg),highest average As concentration in red mullet (50,40 mg / kg), the highest average Cd (0.0098 mg / kg) and Co (0.105 mg / kg) concentration in horse mackerel fish, the highest average concentration of Cr (0.077 mg / kg), Cu (0.9 mg / kg), Fe (21.43 mg / kg), Mn (2.026 mg / kg) and Zn (39.56 mg / kg) found in anchovy.The highest average Ni (0.256 mg / kg) and Pb (0.075 mg / kg) concentrations were detected in red mullet. In this study, human health risk assessment methods were used in relation to metal levels determined in fish species. For this, estimated daily intake (EDI) values of metals were calculated and compared with tolerable daily intake (TDI) values or reference dose values (RfD). The target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) values were calculated to determine the non-cancer health risks of metals. Cancer risk (CR) was also calculated for inorganic arsenic by using cancer slope factor. The EDI values of the 11 metals entering the human body from ingestion of the fish species examined were determined not to exceed the TDI or RfD values. In addition, the THQ and HI values of the metals determined in fish species were lower than the threshold value of 1. This shows that there are no health risks for non-cancer. CR values for all fish species except red mullet were found within the acceptable range. Therefore, according to CR results, people who are exposed to inorganic arsenic as a result of consumption of red mullet are at risk of developing cancer. Keywords: Fish, Arsenic, Human Health Risk Assessment, Heavy Metals