Multivariate Analysis of Heavy Metals and Human Health Risk Implications Associated with Fish Consumption from the Yangtze River in Zhenjiang City, China

The purpose of this study was to analyze levels of heavy metals and human health risk implications associated with fish consumption from the Yangtze River. A total of 60 fish muscles were taken from six different fish species—Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, Blicca bjoerkna, Mylopharyngodon piceus, Carassius carassius and Pelteobagrus fulvidraco—and digested using standard protocols. Contents of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al) cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu), were analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectroscophotometer ((ZEEnit 700 P Zeeman)). Based on consumer health risk indicators, the health implications to children and adults upon consuming the analyzed fish species were assessed. Findings revealed that Zn recorded the highest mean concentration of 9.87 µg/g in Carassius carassius followed by Mn (7.97 µg/g) in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, Cu (2.07 µg/g) in Mylopharyngodon piceus, Pb (1.04 µg/g) in Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cr (0.63 µg/g) in Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cd (0.19 µg/g) in Blicca bjoerkna and Ni (0.16 µg/g) (w/w) in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. In addition, the health risk assessments revealed that children are at heightened non-carcinogenic risk for Pb, Cd, and Co upon consuming the examined fish species.