EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL RISKS OF FARMED FISH CONSUMPTION ON HUMAN HEALTH

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the levels of metallic trace elements in the muscle of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fish reared in a floating cage in order to assess the potential risks of the consumption of farmed fish on human health in Bingerville, a town situated in the southeast of Côte d'Ivoire. Fish samples were monthly taken from February to July 2017. The levels of metallic trace elements were determined in the muscle of the fish using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the potential health risk was determined by the calculation of the estimated daily intake (EDI), the estimated weekly intake (EWI), the hazard quotient (HQ) and the hazard index (HI). The arsenic levels in the samples were higher than the ones of lead, mercury and cadmium. Concentrations of arsenic (1.123 ± 0.04 - 1.410 ± 0.28) mg/kg in muscle were above the maximum authorized concentration (0.1 mg/kg) for human consumption. However, the daily and weekly intakes of all metals were below the tolerable values recommended by the joint FAO/WHO committee (FAO/WHO, 1995; 2005). Moreover, the hazard quotients of the different metals were less than 1 (HQ ˂ 1). In addition, the hazard index of all metallic trace elements was less than 1 (HI ˂ 1). Therefore, the result of this assessment is that the consumption of tilapia reared in a floating cage is not harmful to human health.

Keywords: Fish farm; floating cage; farmed fish; metallic trace elements; Côte d’Ivoire