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Heavy metals concentration and human health risk assessment in seven commercial fish species from Asafo Market, Ghana

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Abstract

Health risk assessment and heavy metal accumulation were evaluated in the muscles of widely consumed Trachurus trachurus, Lutjanus fulgens, Lutjanus goreensis, Acanthocybium solandri, Pagellus bellottii, Scomber colias and Dentex congoensis fish species in Asafo, Ghana. The fish samples were prepared using a wet digestion method and the heavy metals analysis was performed with the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (UNICAM 969). The results revealed that Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations were below the permissible values set by several health institutions. The health risk assessment based on non-carcinogenic and cancer factors effect indicates no adverse health effect of fish intake. The results of heavy metal concentrations showed that different varieties of fish could be safe for human intake and the results are anticipated to create alertness among the local people.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. B. B. Campion, Miss Gifty Anane-Taabeah, Miss Lily Keledorme Akorfa and Miss Rita Abera, all of Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi for the identification of the fish species used in this study.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    Edward Ebow Kwaansa-Ansah, Samuel Owusu Nti & Francis Opoku

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  1. Edward Ebow Kwaansa-Ansah
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Kwaansa-Ansah, E.E., Nti, S.O. & Opoku, F. Heavy metals concentration and human health risk assessment in seven commercial fish species from Asafo Market, Ghana. Food Sci Biotechnol 28, 569–579 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-018-0485-z

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