This study aimed at investigating the content of heavy metals in some marine organisms of the Cameroon Atlantic coast and assessing the health risk due to their consumption by the population. Nine fish and one shrimp species were collected for this study. These fish species were Ethmolosa fimbriata, Drepane africana, Dentex moroccanus, Arius latiscotatus, Scarus hoefleri, Cynoglossus browni, Sardinella madorensis, Pseudotolithus elongatus, Pseudotolithus typus. The shrimp species was Macrobranchium macrobranchium. The elements investigated in this study were: Fe, Co, Cu, Cd and Pb. For seven fish species it was found that the concentration of heavy metals followed the order Fe > Co > Cd > Cu > Pb. For most fish species the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) value calculated showed the following trend Cd > Co > Pb > Fe ≥ Cu. Cadmium was found to be the main contributor to health risk that may result from the consumption of the fish species under study. The THQ for this element was in the range 0.7 - 1.2 while the Target Cancer Risk (TR) due to ingestion of this metal was in the range (3 × 10-4 - 6 × 10-4). These values are slightly above the threshold limits established for both carcinogenic and non carcinogenic risks by the United States, Environmental Protection Agency. The estimated weekly intake of cadmium due to consumption of some fishes under study was greater or equal to the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) determined by Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization.
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