Seasonal Variations in Toxic Metal Levels of Two Fish Species, Mugil cephalus and Mullus barbatus and Estimation of Risk for Children

Concentrations of five toxic metals were determined in two fish species namely, Mugil cephalus and Mullus barbatus consumed in two neighboring Turkish cities during 2010-2011. Lead concentrations (mean 900 mu g kg(-1)) for M. cephalus were found to be higher than the maximum allowances concentration (MAC) of 300 mu g kg(-1). Similarly, Cr (mean 410 mu g kg(-1)), Ni (mean 331 mu g kg(-1)) and Cu (mean 834 mu g kg(-1)) concentrations in M. cephalus were significantly higher than in M. barbatus (mean 341 mu g Cr kg(-1), 256 mu g Ni kg(-1) and 568 mu g Cu kg(-1)). Although concentrations of some metals exceed the limits set by the authorities, the estimated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks by the Target Hazard Quotient and target carcinogenic risk indicate that there is no carcinogenic risk for humans, and the risk of developing cancer over a human lifetime is between 2 and 12 in 1,000,000.