6th ISF

ENVI010 - Seafood Delight or Alarm? Analysis of Heavy Metal Levels in Fishes from Public Markets in Tacloban City, Philippines

Seafood Delight or Alarm? Analysis of Heavy Metal Levels in Fishes from Public Markets in Tacloban City, Philippines Vivien Castroverde, Sophia Indira Esquilla, Nastasha Nicole Noel Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus, PHILIPPINES Janeth Morata - Fuentes jmorata@evc.pshs.edu.ph Fish is a common staple in Filipino households and is an important protein source for human health. However, toxic metals from natural or anthropogenic sources can contaminate fish. This study aimed to determine the heavy metal levels of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) in fish sampled from public markets. These samples were separated into flesh (dorsal area) and guts, weighed, and oven-dried; then processed using a wet acid digestion method. Levels of metals from six fish species were analyzed through Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. These concentration values were converted to Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI) to find if the levels are within safety levels (i.e., index < 1.0). High concentrations of Ni (2.8 mg/kg) and Pb (0.86 mg/kg) were found in a local tuna (turingan). In most species, Ni and Pb exceeded permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). THQ and HI values in most fish flesh samples were <1.0, indicating safety as a food source. However, HI for flesh from turingan was close to 1; and that from gut extracts of galunggong and matambaka exceeded 1.0. This indicates possible contamination at levels which are not safe for human consumption. Metals when bioaccumulated across time pose health hazards and even death to consumers. This study may serve as baseline information for further research done on food security and environmental health and may be expanded to include other seafood items and other markets.

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