Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks associated with the consumption of fishes contaminated with heavy metals from Manzala Lake, Egypt

Manzala Lake was sampled to assess the concentrations and possible ecological risks of heavy metals. The mean heavy metal levels in the muscles of Nile tilapia, Flathead grey mullets and African catfish were 0.01, 0.15 and 0.29 mg/kg, respectively, for mercury; 3.16, 4.25 and 4.74 mg/kg for arsenic; 1.01, 0.87 and 0.95 mg/kg for lead; and 0.05, 0.12 and 0.06 mg/kg for cadmium. The levels of heavy metals exceeded their maximum permissible limits in most samples. The EDIs of some metals were higher than their PTDIs or BMDLs. The THQs and TTHQs from metal intake were >1 for Hg and Cd. In addition, the TCR values of As in all fish species were higher than 1.0 × 10−4 indicating a potential health risks from consumption of fish species which need strict hygienic procedures to prevent fish contamination with heavy metals and ensure that their levels did not exceed the maximum permissible limits. [Display omitted] •The pollution of Manzala Lake with heavy metals increased after recent cleanup and dredging operations.•Heavy metals in most tested samples exceeded their Egyptian legal limits.•The EDIs of some metals were higher than PTDIs or BMDLs.•The THQ and TTHQ values of both Hg and Cd in most samples were >1 suggesting public health risks.•The TCR values of As in all tested fishes were higher than 1.0 × 10−4 indicating carcinogenic health risks.