An assessment of Some Toxic, Essential Elements and Natural Radioactivity, in Most Common Fish Consumed in Jeddah-Saudi Arabia

摘要

This study has been carried out to determine the concentrations mg/Kg of the toxic elements (Al, Hg, Cd, Pb, U, Th, and As) and essential elements (K, Sn, Ca, Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, and Mn) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer, and the radionuclides concentration levels of (238U, 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs) using a high purity germanium spectrophotometer in ten of the most common fish samples collected from local store in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia during 2014. The results showed that, the concentrations of the elements (Al, Hg, Pb and Cu) in all fish samples were not detected or below the detection limit. The concentrations of metals (Cd, U, Th, As, K, Sn, Ca, Ni, Fe, Co, and Mn) were below the recommended limit by the international organizations. The estimated metal dose (EDI) values for daily average consumption were lower than the recommended values by FAO/WHO, and hazard indices (HI) in fish samples were below safety levels for human consumption (HI 1), then this increase is to be of concern for fish consumer. The measured concentrations in (Bq/Kg) dry weight of natural radionuclides 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and fallout 137Cs in fish samples were calculated. The results show that the activities in fish samples were of no risk to public health. The total average annual effective dose μSv/y due to intake of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K from the ingestion of the fish samples were estimated to be 6.07 for infants (≤5 Y), 22.88 and 45.03 for children (5 - 10 Y and 10 - 15 Y) and 56.26 for adults (≥17 y), which are lower than the allowed value (1 mSv). The contribution of 137Cs is nearly negligible. This study could be useful as a baseline data for toxic, essential metals, and radiation, exposure.