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Trace metals and organochlorine pesticide residues in imported fishes in Bangladesh and human health risk implications

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Abstract

Substantial quantity of fish has been imported to Bangladesh without adequate food safety assessment which can pose a serious health risk to local people. This study analyzed the trace metals and organochlorine pesticides residues and the associated human health risk in 33 imported fishes (9 species) from four countries (India, Myanmar, Oman, and United Arab Emirates) collected from three different ports (Benapole, Bhomra, and Chittagong) of Bangladesh with invoice lists from the port authorities. Trace metal concentrations were determined using graphite furnace absorption spectrometry and flame absorption spectrometry. The two organochlorine pesticides (Aldrin and Chlordane) residues were determined by GC–MS and found as below detection level (BDL). The trace metal concentrations (mg/kg-ww) in imported fish samples ranged as As 0.008 to 0.558, Pb 0.004 to 0.070, Cr 0.010 to 0.109, Cd 0.00 to 0.083, Ni 0.011 to 0.059, Co BDL to 0.067, Mn BDL to 0.0780, Fe 1.780 to 10.77, Cu 0.055 to 0.632, and Zn 0.898 to 9.245. Concentrations of As and Cd were higher than the food safety guideline. Considering the source country of imported fishes, fish samples from Oman were mostly contaminated by the trace metals. The estimated daily intake (EDI) was higher for Cr. However, the target hazard quotient (THQ) for individual metal and total THQ for combined metals were lower than 1, indicating no apparent non-carcinogenic health risk for consumers. The cancer risk (CR) was within the acceptable range. But extensive monitoring of these toxic chemicals is needed prior to import these fishes to the country. Given the self-sufficiency in fish production, this study also argues whether Bangladesh needs to import the fishes at all.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research for providing necessary laboratory and instrumental facilities for this study. Furthermore, authors are thankful for the kind help from the staffs of the land port authorities during sample collection.

Funding

The study was funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh under Science and Technology Fellowship in 2019.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh

    Md. Monirul Islam, Nusrat Jahan Avha, Farhana Mostafiz & Md. Habibullah-Al-Mamun

  2. Institute of National Analytical Research and Service, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Qudrat-I-Khuda Road, Dhanmandi, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh

    Shamim Ahmed & Md. Ahedul Akbor

  3. Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Dhaka, People’s Republic of Bangladesh

    Md. Sofiqul Islam

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  1. Md. Monirul Islam
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  2. Nusrat Jahan Avha
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  3. Shamim Ahmed
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  4. Md. Ahedul Akbor
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  5. Md. Sofiqul Islam
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  7. Md. Habibullah-Al-Mamun
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Nusrat Jahan Avha, Md. Monirul Islam, Md. Sofiqul Islam and Md. Habibullah-Al-Mamun. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Nusrat Jahan Avha and Farhana Mostafiz and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Md. Habibullah-Al-Mamun.

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Islam, M.M., Avha, N.J., Ahmed, S. et al. Trace metals and organochlorine pesticide residues in imported fishes in Bangladesh and human health risk implications. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 17499–17512 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17074-5

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