International Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health

Vol. 5(2), pp. 126-149, September, 2020. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 1822-424X

Research Article

Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal

contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia)
senilis in the southern region of Nigeria.
1Miebaka Moslen*, 2Calista. Adamma Miebaka, 3Ruth Braide
1,3Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
2Institute of Pollution Studies, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

This study evaluated health risks associated with the consumption of a seafood (bivalve -
Anadara (Senilia) senilis) contaminated with some heavy metals in southern Nigeria. Atomic
absorption spectrophotometry was used for metal analysis. Mean metal concentrations (µgg-1)
was in the order of Zn(12.96±1.0)> Pb(4.69±0.6)> Cr(2.91±0.7)> Ni(2.47±0.2)> Cu(2.03±0.3)>
Cd(1.68±0.2). Mean concentrations of Cr, Cu and Zn were below their respective FAO/WHO
recommended limits while those of Ni, Cd and Pb exceeded. The Estimated daily intake-EDI
values of all metals were less than their respective reference oral doses-RFD implying minimal
health risk. The target hazard quotient (non-carcinogenic) and hazard index-HI had values
<1suggesting minimal health risk of non-carcinogenic origin but HI value showed potency of
increase. The value of Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk-ILCR ranged from 10-5-10-2 with Ni and
Cd within the acceptable range of 10-4-10-6 while Cr and Pb exceeded the limit. The target cancer
risk-TR had values of 10-3 indicating moderate to high risk according to the New York State
Department of Health classification. The study concluded the presence of moderate to high
carcinogenic risk due to Cr and Pb for consumers of heavy metal contaminated seafood
(bivalves) in southern Nigeria. Minimal consumption and further action are advised with regular
monitoring to detect changes.

Keyword: Health Risk; Heavy metals; Bioaccumulation; Bivalve-Anadara; Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION

The toxic effect of heavy metals in the environment via
food and water contamination remains a global concern.
Monitoring programs and researches on heavy metals in
samples from the aquatic environment have become
widely important due to concerns over accumulation and
toxic effects in aquatic organisms and to humans through
the food chain (Otchere, 2003). Several studies have
attributed the increased presence of heavy metals in the
aquatic environment to rapid urbanization and population
increase, exploration and exploitation of natural resources,
agricultural practices, rapid industrialization and other
anthropogenic activities in the ecosystem (Moslen and
Aigberua 2018; Moslen and Ameki 2018; Moslen et al.
Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria.
2018). Heavy metals may occur in aquatic environments
from natural processes and discharges or leachates from
several anthropogenic activities (Franca et al. 2005). The
contamination of natural waters by heavy metals
negatively affect aquatic biota and pose considerable
environmental risk and concerns (Ravera 2004).
*Corresponding Author: Miebaka Moslen, Department of
Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State
University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria E-mail & ORCID:
moslen4c@yahoo.com (moslen.miebaka@ust.edu.ng),
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1658-5977
1
Because of the fact that sediments are an important sink
of different pollutants, including heavy metals, it also
serves as an enriched source of contaminants for benthic
organisms particularly in estuarine ecosystems that
provide habitats for bivalves such as Anadara (Senilia)
senilis. (Wang et al. 2002) . Anadara (Senilia) senilis is a
filter-feeding mollusc of the order Arcoida in the family
Arcidae. This bivalve satisfies basic biomonitoring
conditions due to wide distribution along with coastal
areas, sessile lifestyle, easy to handle and a filter feeder
with the ability to accumulate heavy metals and
contaminants without appreciable metabolism (Olivier et
al. 2002). However, Philip and Rainbow (1998) stated that
several biotic and abiotic factors could influence the
accumulation of heavy metals in bivalves
Metal toxicity depends upon the absorbed dose, the route
of exposure and duration of exposure (acute or chronic
(Moslen and Miebaka 2016). Jaishankar (2014) reported
that metal toxicity can lead to different disorders in addition
to excessive damage due to oxidative stress induced by
free radical formation. Heavy metals bind to protein
substances and obstruct normal metabolic activities,
reactions and cycles in the body with some target organs
including skin, lung, liver, kidney bladder and others but
this depends on exposure and type of metal. Arsenic
exposure is linked to cancer of skin, lung, bladder, liver and
kidney in human (Singh et al. 2007) and exerts some of its
effects through interaction with glutathione - GST (Yoon et
al. 2008) while Cd affects the transcription of genes and
induces human genes which perform protective functions
(Koizumi 1997). Mercury can form several stable organic
mercury compounds by attaching to one or two carbon
compounds e.g. methyl mercury (CH3Hg+). Yoon et al.
(2008) which can undergo biotransformation to divalent
mercury compounds in tissues by cleavage of the carbon
mercury bond. Yoon et al. (2008) also stated that mercury
may bind to various enzyme systems like those of
microsomes and mitochondria leading to nonspecific cell
injury and cell death. Major toxic effects of Cr in human is
related to Cr (III) complexes with intracellular
macromolecules (Yoon et al. 2008). The mechanism of
toxicity of Cr at the biochemical level, cellular level –cell
cycle arrest and genomic level had also been reported
(Kaltreider et al. 1999; Solis-Heredia et al. 2000). The
Mechanisms of lead toxicity include the destruction of
Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria.
membranes, obstruction in metabolism and direct
interference with the synthesis of neurotransmitter (Yoon
et al. 2008). Molecular mechanisms of toxicity of copper
leading to Wilson disease had also been reported by Bull
et al. (1993).
Health risk assessments have been conducted on bivalves
due to its high adaptability to various levels of
contaminations (Moslen et al. 2019). Anadara (Senilia)
senilis was chosen for this research because it satisfies
most of the characteristics of bivalves as biomonitors and
it is a commercially important species exploited for its great
food value in the south coast of Nigeria (Moslen et al.
2019). Accumulations of heavy metals in filter-feeding
organisms pose health risk concern to consumers of these
sea foods. It is therefore, imperative to assess the health
risk associated with such populations consuming
contaminated sea foods such as bivalves, in order to
provide missing data and information for further studies
and policy/decision-makers in the study region. Data and
health risk information due to the consumption of bivalves
Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria
is quite poor. This study therefore, seeks to examine health
risk due to consumption of bivalves (Anadara Senilia
senilis) in relation to bioaccumulation of heavy metals
contamination in southern Nigeria.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sample collection
Bivalve (Anadara Senilia senilis) samples were obtained
from two regional markets in southern Nigeria. The
regional markets in Port Harcourt (4°45'29.64"N 7°
1'25.30"E) and Eket - Kwa Ibo (4°32'47.93"N
7°59'25.85"E) (Fig.1) are major landing areas for variety of
see-foods from the south coast of Nigeria. Freshly
collected samples of bivalves (Anadara Senilia senilis)
were wrapped in aluminum foil, properly labeled, put in ice-
chest coolers and immediately taken to the laboratory for
analysis. Fifty samples were collected monthly for
eighteen months (October 2017 to March 2019). Sample
collection was done to satisfy incremental sampling to give
aggregate samples representative of lots or sub-lots for
laboratory analysis (FSAI, 2015).
2
Figure 1: Inset map of Nigeria showing study region (Moslen et al. 2019).

Extraction and Analysis

Bivalve samples were extracted from the shell, oven-dried
and properly homogenized. The homogenized sample was
digested according to the method described by the
Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2006).
Two grams of the homogenized tissues were weighed into
bottles and transferred into labeled boiling tube in a fume
cupboard, 5 ml of 10% HCl acid was added to the sample
and stirred. It was then treated with 5 ml of 10% HNO3, and
warmed on a water bath to dissolve. The digested sample
was allowed to cool at room temperature and then filtered
through 0.45 µm into a volumetric flask. The
concentrations of heavy metals in the samples were
determined with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
(GB Avanta PM AAS, S/N A6600 with detection limit for
individual metals of study in the range of 0.001 - 0.02 μgg-
1). The concentrations were blank-corrected and
expressed as μgg-1 dry weight of the sample analyzed.
Human Health Risk Assessment
Health risk on humans was evaluated in order to determine
possible adverse health effects due to the consumption of
bivalves (Anadara (Senilia) senilis) contaminated with
heavy metals. Standard and acceptable indices were used
for the health risk assessment. The indices/parameters
used for the various calculations are presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Parameters used for estimating exposure assessment through fish consumption
Parameters Unit Value Reference
Mean concentration of heavy μgg-1 Table 2 Table 2
metals in bivalve (μgg-1)
Reference Dose (RfD) mg/kg/day (USEPA 2009, 2011) (USEPA 2009, 2011)
Fish ingestion rate (FIR) Kg/capita/day 0.0548 (54.8g) (FAO 2014)
Exposure Duration (ED) years 70 (Qu et al. 2015)
Exposure Frequency (EF) Days/year 365 (Qu et al. 2015; Moslen and
Miebaka 2017a)
Adult body weight (BW) kg 70 (Tongo et al. 2017a; Moslen
et al. 2019)
Average life span (ATn) days 25550 (USEPA, 2011)
Oral Slope Factor (SF) mg/kg/day (USEPA, 2011; Nkpaa et al.
2017)
Conversion factor dimensionless 0.208 (Wang et al. 2005; Moslen
and Miebaka, 2017a)
Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria.
3
Exposure assessment (Estimated Daily Intake (EDI))

The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) via consumption of and Miebaka 2017a). HQ and HI values less than 1 were
heavy metal contaminated seafood (bivalves - Anadara considered safe (Tongo and Ezemonye 2019).
(Senilia) senilis) was evaluated using equation 1
EF X ED X FIR X Cf X Cm HI = ∑ HQ= HQNi + HQCd + HQCr + HQCu + HQPb + HQZn
Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) = (1)
BW X TA (EF X ED)
eqn.5
(Akoto et al. 2014).
Where EF = Exposure frequency Target cancer risk (TR)
ED = Exposure duration
FIR = Fish ingestion rate The TR was determined based on (USEPA, 2011) using
CF = conversion factor equation 6
Cm = heavy metal concentration in bivalve
(μg/g d-w), 𝑀𝑐 𝑋 𝐼𝑅 𝑋 10−3 𝑋 𝐶𝑃𝑆𝑜 𝑋 𝐸𝐹 𝑋 𝐸𝐷
BW = Adult body weight 70 kg (Tongo et al. 2017b) Target cancer risk (TR) = (6)
𝐵𝑊 𝑋 𝐴𝑇𝑛
TA (EF × ED) = average exposure time (Moslen and
Miebaka 2017a). where MC = metal concentration,
IR = ingestion rate,
Assessment of non-carcinogenic health risks EF = exposure frequency,
ED = exposure duration,
The hazard quotient (HQ) was used to evaluate the non- BW = body weight,
carcinogenic health risks associated with consumption of CPSo = carcinogenic potency slope, oral.
bivalve contaminated with heavy metals. This is expressed ATn = averaging time for carcinogens.
as Target hazard Quotient (THQ) in equation 2.
Target hazard Quotient (THQ) =
𝐸𝐷𝐼
equation 2. (Akoto et Data Analysis
𝑅𝐹𝐷
al. 2014; Moslen and Miebaka 2017a) Significant difference in metal concentrations between
Where EDI = Estimated Daily Intake periods (months) was tested with ANOVA (General Linear
RFD = Reference Oral Dose of metal Model) using the software Minitab 16.
Assessment of Carcinogenic health risks
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Assessment of Carcinogenic health risks with hazard
quotient was done using equation 3. Concentration of heavy metals in tissues of bivalves
Hazard quotient (carcinogenic) Heavy metal toxicity could predispose humans to health
risk via consumption of contaminated sea-food hence its
Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) = CDI X SF eqn necessity for evaluation. The mean concentrations of
(3) (Sultana et al. 2017) heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn), F-values of
𝐸𝐷𝐼 𝑋 𝐸𝐹 𝑋 𝐸𝐷
Where CDI = Chronic daily intake (CDI) = ANOVA and recommended limits are presented in Table
𝐴𝑇𝑛
(4) 2. Mean metal concentrations (µgg-1) in the soft tissues of
SF = slope factor bivalves (Anadara (Senilia) senilis) examined was in the
EDI = Estimated Daily Intake order of Zn (12.96 ± 1.0) > Pb (4.69 ± 0.6) > Cr (2.91 ± 0.7)
EF = Exposure frequency > Ni (2.47 ± 0.2) > Cu (2.03 ± 0.3) > Cd (1.68 ± 0.2). Metal
ED = Exposure duration concentrations between study periods did not differ
ATn = Average life span significantly (p>0.05) for Zn and Pb but Ni (p<0.001), Cd
(p<0.01), Cr (p<0.001) and Cu (p<0.05) had significant
Hazard index (HI) differences. Mean values of Cr, Cu and Zn observed in this
study were below their respective recommended limits of
In view of the fact that contaminants do not act in isolation 12–13(USFDA, 1993; FAO/WHO, 1983), and 30
in the environment, the HI was used to evaluate the total (FAO/WHO, 2005) while mean values of Ni, Cd and Pb
risk from various contaminant pathways. This is the sum of exceeded their recommended limits of 0.2 (WHO, 2005),
the hazard quotients for all heavy metals, which was 0.1 (FAO, 2003) and 0.5 (FAO/WHO, 1989).
calculated using equation 5 (Guerra et al., 2010; Moslen

Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria.
4
Table 2: Concentration of heavy metals, F-values of ANOVA and recommended limits
Heavy Metals (µgg-1) Range Mean ANOVA (F-values) Recommended limits (ppm)
Ni 0.7 - 5.26 2.47 ± 0.2 17.55*** 0.2 (WHO, 2005)
Cd 0.14- 2.83 1.68 ± 0.2 11.22** 0.1 (FAO, 2003)
Cr 0.36 - 9.02 2.91 ± 0.7 16.44*** 12–13 (USFDA, 1993)
Cu 0.46 - 6.07 2.03 ± 0.3 5.46* 30 (FAO/WHO, 1983)
Pb 0.63 - 11.83 4.69 ± 0.6 1.16ns 0.5 (FAO/WHO, 1989)
Zn 0.68 - 20.68 12.96 ± 1.0 0.36ns 30 (FAO/WHO, 1983)
Key: *** = significant (p<0.001), ** = significant (p<0.01), * = significant (p<0.05), ns = not significant

The result of this research was compared with the findings
of other researchers (Table 3). The concentration of Ni in
this study compares with those of other researchers (Table
3). The same applies to the concentration (1.68 ± 0.2) of
Cd of this study but was found to be less than the
maximum concentration (7.15±1.14) reported in a study in
Kenya. Table 3 showed regional variations in metal
concentrations but values of this study were far below
maximum metal concentrations observed in neighboring
east Africa as reported by (Swaleh et al. 2016). It is
important to state that legal limits of some countries or
regions may differ even, from those of international
organization. For example, Cd concentration of this study
fell within the lowest safety limits (1.01–2.00 𝜇g/g) set by
Malaysian Food Act 1983 and Regulation 1985 (Yunus et
al. 2014) which could be at variance with limits set by other
countries or regions.

Table 3: Comparison of results of this study with other findings

Location Organi Ni Cd Cr Cu Pb Zn Reference
sm
Korean Gastro 0.746 mg/g) Cd (0.050 0.076 mg/g) 6.658 mg/g) 0.003 mg/g); 35.06 (Mok et al.
Coastal pod mg/g) mg/g) 2014)
Korean Bivalv 0.12 ± 0.04 0.60 ± 0.15 0.26 ± 0.09 34.45 ± 12.4 0.117 ± 0.06 108.29 ± (Mok et al.
Coastal e 60.82 2014)
kenya Bivalv Nd to Nd to 2.90±0.48μg/g to Nd to 2504.92±6. (Swaleh et al.
e 7.15±1.14μ 98.24±19.73 254.98±9.50 μg/g 70.35±2.47 96 μg/g, 2016).
g/g μg/g. μg/g,
Niger Bivalv 1.17 ± 0.05 0.06 ± 0.01 2.44 ± 0.01 0.29 ± 0.06 5.57 ± 0.61 Akinrotimi et al.
Delta e 2019)
Niger Bivalv 0.658 0.6134 mg/kg 0.068 164.102 Kpee, and
Delta e mg/kg Nwineewii
2017)
Costa Bivalv 1.30 ± 0.05 6.03 ± 0.49 58.3 ± 1.2 (Vargas et al.
Rica e (μg/g dw) 2015)
Costa Bivalv 1.42 ± 0.13 23.0 ± 2.1 76.6 ± 1.6 (Vargas et al.
Rica e 2015)
Malasia Bivalv 1.09 - 1.98 0.61 - 2.86 12.52 - 24.93 0.8 - 1.9 84.16 - (Yunus et al.
e (μg/g ) 105.63 2014)
Niger Bivalv 0.01 - 0.04 24.8 - 30.0 0.02 - 0.05 23.5 - 42.1 (Woke et al.
Delta e μg/g 2016)
Malasia Bivalv 2.58 ± 3.41 0.24 ± 0.13 6.42 ± 1.68 0.95 ± 0.30 135.5 ± (Denil et al.
e 53.6 2017)
Niger Gastro 0.02 1.57 0.01 24.42 (Moslen et al.
Delta pod 2017)
This Bivalv 2.47 ± 0.2 1.68 ± 0.2 2.91 ± 0.7 2.03 ± 0.3 4.69 ± 0.6 12.96 ± 1.0
Study e

Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria.
5
Exposure assessment (Estimated Daily Intake (EDI)
Consumption of contaminated fish is a key exposure route
for human health risk. Estimated daily intake (EDI) was
used for exposure assessment via the consumption of
contaminated bivalves. EDI values (µgg-1) of this study
ranged from 0.26 (Cd) - 2.03 (Zn) (Table 4). Variations in
EDI values have been reported by different researchers.
Tongo and Ezemonye (2018), had reported EDI values of
0.138 - 0.200 mg/kg/bw/d in fish from the Niger Delta
region while (Copat et al. 2012) reported EDI ranges of
0.007 - 0.503 μg/kg/d in Sicily. The findings of the present
study also showed slightly higher EDI compared to those
(Cu: 0.54, Pb: 0.01; Zn: 2.14, Cd: 0.01, Cr: 0.04) reported
by (Feng et al., 2020) in bivalves, (Zhao et al. 2013)
however, reported higher EDI of 15.0–255.1 times lower
than the RfD values in bivalves when compared to the
present study. Such variations could be attributed to the
consumption rate of fish, body weight and accumulation
level of the contaminants in the fish (Tongo and Ezemonye
2018). The EDI values of this study is also comparable to
those reported by (Yap 2018) in Anadara granosa (Cd:
0.11 - 0.16, Cu: 0.08 - 0.12) but lower than that reported
for Zn (4.47 - 5.20). The EDI values of all metals examined
in the present study were less than their respective
reference oral doses (RFD) implying minimal health risk
due to the consumption of contaminated bivalves from
southern Nigeria. However, Akoto et al. (2014) stated that
Table 4: Health risk assessment indices (EDI, HQ, HI and TCR).
Heavy Metals EDI (X10- THQ (Non- Hazard Index % of each Metal ILCR
-1
(µgg ) 3) Carcinogenic) (HI) in HI
Ni 0.38 0.019
0.86
Cd 0.26 0.25
Cr 0.46 0.31
Cu 0.32 0.008
Pb 0.74 0.21
Zn 2.03 0.05
Human Health Risk Assessment
Assessment of risk is very important because it has to do
with the evaluation of the amount of a substance that could
lead to negative health impact for exposed persons over a
particular duration. The health risk assessment of each
contaminant is often based on the evaluation of the risk
level and is classified as carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic
health hazards (Wongsasuluk et al. 2014). The target
hazard quotient was used to assess the non-carcinogenic
risk while the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) was
used to evaluate the carcinogenic risk. In the present
study, THQ (non-carcinogenic) values ranged from 0.05
Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria.
RfD represents an estimation of the daily exposure of a
contaminant to which the human population may be
continually exposed over a lifetime without an appreciable
risk of harmful effects. It is important to mention that
among the different metals examined Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni
are classified as chemical hazards (EC, 2001; FDA, 2001).
Lead (Pb) is one of the highly-rated toxic metals after
arsenic (As). Massadeh et al., (2004) had reported organs
such as bones, brain, blood, kidneys, reproductive and
cardiovascular systems, and thyroid gland as targets of
Pb. The NAS–NRC (1982) reported the threshold for acute
cadmium toxicity could be total ingestion of 3–15 mg while
severe toxic symptoms were reported to occur with
ingestions of 10–326 mg. Fatal ingestions of Cd, producing
shock and acute renal failure, occur by ingestions
exceeding 350 mg. Mean concentrations and EDI values
obtained in this study were below these limits but caution
should be taken because accumulation and
magnificationare possible along the food chain.
Overexposure to Ni as a carcinogenic metal could lead to
decreased bodyweight, heart and liver damage and skin
irritation (Homady et al. 2002). Though Cr is listed among
hazardous metals (USFDA, 1993) estimated average daily
human need of chromium to be 1g. According to
Calabarese et al.. (1985) deficiency of chromium could
lead to impaired growth and disturbances in glucose, lipid,
and protein metabolism.
Target Cancer Risk
(Carcinogenic) (TR X10-3)
2.2 0.00065 1.58
30.2 0.000098 0.24
36.1 0.23 0.54
0.9
24.4 0.0063 0.015
5.8
(Zn) - 0.31 (Cr). The values of THQ (non-carcinogenic) in
the present study were all <1suggeting low risk of
exposure for consumers of bivalves. Researchers have
reported that THQ >1 potent risk of non-carcinogenic effect
to consumers of such sea-foods (Abdou and Hassan 2014;
Moslen and Miebaka 2018). However, Khan et al. (2009)
stated that THQ builds some degree of alarm for
carefulness but does not assess risk regarding exposure
to contaminants. Denil et al. (2017) had reported THQ
values comparable to that of the present study in various
clams: Cd: 0.04 - 0.44; Cu: 0.03 - 0.05; Ni: 0.02 -0.05; Pb:
6
0.03 - 0.13; Zn: 0.02 - 0.51. Yap et at. (2018) also reported
similar THQ values in Anadara granosa as follows Cu
(0.002 - 3.53), Cd (0.0 - 0.96), Zn (0.002 - 0.075). Dee et
al. (2019) also found THQ for Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn as
0.12, 0.06, 0.04, 0.41, and 0.03, respectively.
The ILCR (hazard quotient carcinogenic) of this study had
values in the range of 10-5-10-2. The ILCR is defined as the
incremental probability of a person developing any type of
cancer over a lifetime as a result of twenty-four hours per
day exposure to a given daily amount of a carcinogenic
element for seventy years (Gržetic and Ghariani 2008).
The ILCR values of Ni and Cd in this study were within
acceptable limits of 10-4 and 10-6 but those of Cr (10-1) and
Pb (10-3) exceeded the safe limits and calls for concerns
of health risk for consumers of bivalve in southern Nigeria.
The permissible limits are considered to be 10-6 and <10-4
for a single carcinogenic element and multi-element
carcinogens (Tepanosyan et al. 2017). This however
varies from region to region. Excess lifetime cancer risk of
≥10−6 has been consistently considered insignificant and
≥10−4 as significant, where actions are usually taken in
order to reduce risk when cancer risk falls within the latter
group (Mana et al. 2013). The hazard quotient
(carcinogenic) of the present study is above that (2.24x10-
7) observed by (Tongo and Ezemonye, 2018) for seven
different metals in fish from the Niger Delta Region of
Nigeria.
Metals in the environment may not act in isolation. The
sum of the THQ (hazard index - HI) was calculated to
indicate the total potential non-carcinogenic health impacts
that could result from exposure to a mixture of heavy
metals in bivalves consumed, following EPA guidelines for
health risk assessment (Huang et al. 2008; Bamuwamye
et al. 2015). The HI value (0.86) of the present study was
<1 depicting low risk but caution and action is advised to
reduce risk of exposure for consumers of bivalves due to
the possibility or potency of increase in HI value. The HI
value of the present study is less than that (1.60 - 5.06)
reported by (Denil et al. 2017) for four different clams but
agrees with that (0.64) in fish and shrimp (0.52) found in
the Niger Delta region (Moslen and Miebaka 2017b).
Tongo and Ezemonye (2018) reported HI value (1.6)
above that of the present study but Dee et al. (2019)
reported HI value of 0.61 which is less than 1 and
considered it as a safe consumption level, which also
agrees with the finding of the present study. The
percentage make-up of the HI was in the order
Cr>Cd>Pb>Zn>Ni>Cu indicating the elevated input of Cr,
Cd and Pb concentrations in the bivalves examined.
According to the USEPA's screening level of chemical
pollutants, oral exposure to Pb, Cr, As and Cd through
consumption of certain seafood may raise the
carcinogenic risk (Yuana et al. 2019). The target cancer
risk (TR) values of this study ranged from 0.015 x10-3 -
Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria.
1.58 x10-3 (10-3) indicating moderate to high values. This
is comparable to carcinogenic risk (CR) values of Cr
(5.74×10−5 - 1.73×10−3) and As (1.65×10−4 - 1.45×10−3) but
higher than that Cd (1.33×10−5 - 8.38×10−4) reported by
Yuana et al. (2019). The TR value of this study also
compares with that (2.63 x 10-3.) reported in Ni by Moslen
and Miebaka (2017b) which indicated moderate to high
condition compared to the range issued by NYSDOH
(2007). According to NYSDOH (2007), the TR categories
are described as, if TR ≤ 10−6 = Low; 10−4 to 10−3 =
moderate; 10−3 to 10−1 = high; ≥10−1 = very high. This is
not an absolute value but suggests an upper limit of
likelihood in which exposure may predispose consumers
to cancer once in a lifetime. Markmanuela and Horsefall
Jnr (2016) reported average values of target cancer risk
(TR) for Cd and Ni as is 2.9 × 10-3 and 1.2 × 10-2 and stated
that these values were higher than the acceptable limits of
10-6 – 10-4. (USEPA, 2011)
CONCLUSION
The contamination, accumulation and toxicity of heavy
metals in the environment remains a major global health
risk of concern and require regular observations. This
study was conducted to examine health risk exposure to
heavy metals by consumers of bivalves (Anadara Senilia
senilis) in southern Nigeria. The findings further
consolidate known health risks of metals like Ni and Cd
particularly for ecological exposure pathways but most
importantly fill data and information gap for further
research and policy decision making. Assessment of
bioaccumulation gave values below and above respective
recommended limits for metals examined. Dietary intakes
(EDI) were below reference oral doses (RFD) while the
target hazard quotient (non-carcinogenic) was also below
the reference value of one (1) but hazard index implicated
the heavy metals via synergistic/antagonistic reactions.
Evaluation of carcinogenic health risk further implicated Cr
and Pb in the samples examined with respect to
consumption. The study, therefore concluded that
consumers of bivalves contaminated with heavy metals
within southern Nigeria are exposed to moderate to high
health risk. Caution on consumption and action is advised
but regular monitoring is necessary to continue to observe
fluctuations.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to acknowledge the effort of Mr. G. Ogbe for
sample map production and Dr. A Aigberua during sample
analysis
Compliance with Ethical Standards and Declarations
Funding: Not applicable. No funding or grant was
received for this work. It was solely funded by authors
7
Conflict of Interest: The following authors of this
manuscript; Dr. M. MOSLEN, Dr (Mrs) C. A. MIEBAKA and
Ms R. BRAIDE hereby declare that there is NO CONFLICT
OF INTEREST concerning this manuscript.
Ethical approval: This research was approved by the
academic board of the Department of Animal and
Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port
Harcourt, Nigeria.
Informed Consent: The authors declare that they have no
known competing financial interests or personal
relationships that could have appeared to influence the
work reported in this paper. The authors therefore, give
their total/informed consent for the publication of this
manuscript.
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Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria.
Accepted 30 September 2020
Citation: Miebaka M, Calista. A.M, Ruth B. (2020). Health
risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated
benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern
region of Nigeria. International Journal of Toxicology and
Environmental Health, 5(1): 126-149.
Copyright: © 2020 Miebaka et al. This is an open-access
article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original author and source are cited.
11