Determination of cadmium, copper and chromium in oreochromis niloticus from mass market / Nur Ainil Wahida Mohamad Zawawi

Introduction: Heavy metals have a possibility to accumulate in marine environments such as water, sediments, and fish, and later transferred to human beings via the food chain. Heavy metals contamination in fish has become an important global concern due to the health risks associated from fish consumption. Fish is considered as a good bioindicator of aquatic ecosystem due to its ability to accumulate metal.
Methodology: The study design used was Cross Sectional Study. The sampling was conducted randomly (n=150) from mass market around Selangor. Dry ashing technique was used for sample digestion. Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) Model PinAAcle 900T was used to analyzed heavy metal concentration. 100 questionnaires have been distributed. One Way ANOVA was used for determine comparison of mean concentration in cadmium, copper and chromium.
Result: The analysis showed that the mean concentration for cadmium in oreochromis niloticus were 0.063 mg/kg, while the level of copper were 4.174 mg/kg. The mean concentrations of chromium detected in oreochromis niloticus were 0.466 mg/kg. The ranking order of mean concentration of heavy metal in oreochromis niloticus were Cu (4.174) > Cr (0.466) > Cd (0.063). Health Risk Assessment was calculated and it show that Hazard Index is less than 1. This indicates no concern that threshold effect or cancer will occur.
Conclusion: This study indicates the presence of cadmium, copper and chromium from mass market around Selangor. However, the level of cadmium, copper and chromium detected were lower than permissible limit for both national and international standard. Health risk assessment indicates that oreochromis niloticus from mass market around Selangor are safe for human consumption.