Public health risk assessments associated with heavy metal levels in panga fish fillets imported from Vietnam

Abstract

Pangasius hypophthalmus (panga fish) is farmed in the Mekong River (Vietnam), which is known as a polluted river, and exported to many countries. The present study aimed to determine heavy metal levels in frozen panga fillets imported from Vietnam as well as the risks of heavy metals to human health. Panga fillets belonging to four brands were bought from three supermarkets in Adana city, Turkey, and heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Ni, Cu, Mn and Co) were analyzed. To analyze the potential risks to human health, EWI (estimated weekly intake), THQ (target hazard quotient), and CR (lifetime cancer risk) values were calculated to assess the potential risks to consumer health of the metal content in panga fillets. The health risk assessment values were calculated for children and adults according to the frequency of consumption once, three and seven times a week. The results revealed that the presence of heavy metals in the studied panga fillets was below permissible limits indicated by WHO (World Health Organization), EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) and TKB (Turkish Fisheries Laws and Regulations). The EWI, THQ or ∑ THQ and CR values were below PTWI (provisional tolerable weekly intake), 1 and 10-5, respectively. Remarkably, the highest values of the EWI/PTWI ratio and THQs were found for children.