HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK IN THE CONSUMPTION OF PRAWNS (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii) AND SHRIMPS (Penaeus notialis) SOLD FROM MARKETS IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Seafood is growing as a pleasant alternative source of nutrition for many Nigerians and contamination of these crustaceans is an increasing topic of concern. This study investigated the amounts of trace metals and the human health hazards connected to consuming them. The African River Prawn (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii) and Pink Shrimps (Penaeus notialis) were acquired at a marketplace in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The toxic metals concentration Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Arsenic (As) in seafood tissues were examined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Model AA 500L). The pollutants resulted in a decreasing order of Zn > Cu > Cd > Pb > As in the tissues with Zinc (Zn) recording the most elevated mean content of (38.15±14.64 mg/kg) in prawns (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii) and (27.82±3.2 mg/kg) in shrimps (Penaeus notialis). The average values of all metals were below the maximum intake specified by FAO/WHO, (2011). The maximum Estimated daily intake (EDI) value was reported in Zinc (65.43 mg/kg) from prawns (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii) and (51.75 mg/kg) in shrimps (Penaeus notialis) which was below the tolerated daily intake (TDI). Target hazard quotient (THQ) and the target cancer risk (TR) demonstrated there are no risk associated with the ingestion of these crustaceans. Although the Hazard Index (HI) >1, suggested a non-carcinogenic danger from the seafood consumption. This study reveals that the ingestion of fish from markets in Edo State are harmful for both children and adults. Continuous monitoring of heavy metal concentration in certain crustacean species commonly ingested is required, as the prospective buildup of these metals can eventually pose health dangers to the public.