Heavy metal bioaccumulation and health risk assessment from cultured fishes in Khanh Hoa Province, Viet Nam

Abstract

This study investigated the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in 87 seafood samples from five species of marine organisms along the coast of Khanh Hoa Province, Viet Nam, in order to assess associated health risks. The results showed that heavy metal levels in the muscle tissues of the cultured species were generally below the maximum legislative limits of Viet Nam. However, Cd and Pb levels in some cultured species were higher than the maximum limits set by the European Commission. Estimated daily intake of the metals was below the provisional limits. The target hazard quotient for all analysed metals was below 1. Only for cockle, the hazard index exceeded 1. Target cancer risk values of Cd, Cr, and Pb ranged between 10−4 and 10−6. The results of the health risk assessment suggested there is no significant non-carcinogenic health risk from individual metals in these seafood species for local residents.