Risk assessment of heavy metal exposure via consumption of fish and fish products from the retail market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The consumption of fish and fish products can significantly contribute to the overall intake of metals in the human body, which depends on the level of contamination and dietary habits in each country. In this study, 185 samples of the 14 most frequently consumed domestically farmed and imported marine fish and fish products and exclusively domestically farmed freshwater fish available on the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) were analysed for the presence of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). None of the sampled fish or fish products contained these heavy metals at levels above the prescribed maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) in B&H and the EU. The mean concentrations of the tested heavy metals were higher in marine fishes and their products compared to freshwater fishes. A study of the dietary habits of 527 consumers in B&H identified that the dietary exposure via fish and fish products to methylmercury (MeHg), inorganic mercury (IHg) and Cd was significantly below the tolerable weekly intake (TWI). In excessive fish consumers (those in the top 95 percentile), the dietary exposure to MeHg was close to the maximum recommended TWI. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) for Hg was significantly above 1 in the worst-case scenario for both freshwater and marine fish species, indicating possible risk to excessive consumers. In average and excessive B&H consumers, dietary exposure to Cd was estimated as significantly below the recommended TWI. Dietary exposure to total arsenic (tAs) in average and excessive consumers ranged within the acceptable values. The dietary exposure of B&H consumers to inorganic arsenic (iAs) from fish and fish products was significantly below the exposure previously determined in the population from EU countries. The results of this study suggest that fish and fish products at retail level in B&H, considering the content of the most important heavy metals and consumers' eating habits, present low risks for consumers.