Risk assessment of some toxic metals in canned fish products retailed in Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Canned fish products are widely consumed in Egypt, particularly for protein-rich meals that are quick to prepare and low in calories. Canned fish products contaminated with toxic metals from the fish itself or from canning materials during processing. Aim: To determine the residual levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), aluminum (Al) and, Tin (Sn) in some canned fish products obtained from retail shops in Mansoura, Egypt. Furthermore, non-carcinogenic health risks evaluation for the Egyptian population due to hazardous metal oral intake. Methods: One hundred canned fish products (20 each of herring, mackerel, salmon, sardine, and tuna) were collected from May to September 2023, canned fish products obtained from Mansoura city markets in Egypt. Samples digested in solution composed of 60% nitric acid and 40% perchloric acid, then atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) used for detection of selected toxic metals. Results: It was found that the residual level of hazardous metals exceeded the acceptability level established in European Union for Pb, Cd and Hg by 20, 10 and 10%, 15, 5 and 20 %, 35, 30 and 45%, 25, 25 and 40%, in examined herring, mackerel, sardine and tuna, respectively. In contrast, all salmon samples accepted for Pb, Hg, and only 5% not accepted due to higher Cd level than the maximum permissible limit (MPL). The average estimated daily intake of (EDI) below the tolerable daily intakes (TDIs) for all metals. Comparatively, EDI of Hg was 0.265 µg/kg body weight (B.W) exceeded TDIs 0.228 µg/kg B.W. The hazard index for canned tuna and sardine is more than one. Conclusion: Canned fish products contaminated with variety of toxic metals especially sardine and tuna. So, it is advised to decrease the consumption rate of such fish products.