Fresh water aquaculture fish consumption in Malaysia and heavy metals risk exposure to consumers
Background: Fresh water aquacultures fish are exposed to many chemical contaminations include heavy metal residues. It is important to know the level of heavy metal risk exposure based on the fish consumption. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the amount of the fish consumpt...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2013
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/63230/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/63230/27/63230%20%20Fresh%20Water%20Aquaculture%20Fish.pdf |
| Summary: | Background: Fresh water aquacultures fish are exposed to many chemical contaminations include heavy metal residues. It is important to know the level of heavy metal risk exposure based on the fish consumption. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the amount of the fish consumption [specifically red tilapia (Oreachromis sp), keli (Clarias spp.) and patin (Pangasius sutchii)]. in Malaysia, the quantity of heavy metal residues (namely arsenic, cadmium, mercury and plumbum) in the fish and the level of the risk exposure.
Methods: About 1440 respondents from six main production districts were randomly interviewed using specific questionnaire. The body weight of the respondens were also measured as these data will be used to calculate the level of risk exposure. A total of 240 ready to eat fish from food premises were also stratified randomly sampled where each sample was weighted to determine the average weight of one serving unit sold at food premises. All the samples were then sent to the laboratory where the heavy metal residues were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) Optima 4300 DV (Jerman). The level of heavy metals risk exposure was calculated as the percentage value of ’Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes’ (PTWI) and recalculated using computer programme @Risk 4.5 Excel (Palisade, USA).
Results: The result showed that 60.3% of the respondents consumed the fish. The average weight of one serving unit of the fish sold at food premises was 127.7g where Patin has the highest weight (194.9g) followed by keli (105.4g) and tilapia (75.5g). The average amount of the fish consumed by consumer per meal, per day and per week were 110.1g, 116.3g and 130.6g respectively. The level of heavy metal risk exposures were calculated as very low i.e 0.14% for As, 0.31% (Cd), 0.09% (Hg) and 0.78% (Pb). |
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