Heavy metal risk assessment of European eels (Anguilla anguilla, Linnaeus, 1758) from the Asi (Orontes) River, Turkey

Abstract

The muscle tissues of a total 154 sampled eels from the Asi (Orontes) River were analyzed between January and December 2018 to determine the content of heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd and As). Determination of heavy metals in muscle tissue was carried out with an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). To express the risk level for human consumption of heavy metal contaminated eels we used common concepts and criteria such as Hazard Index (HI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total THQ (TTHQ). From the human health point of view, the indices HI, THQ, TTHQ values of Hg, Cd, Pb and As indicate no risks for the consumers at assumed intake levels per unit time.