Trace Element Concentrations in Commercial Fish Collected from Coastal Area and Rivers of Bangladesh—Human Health Risk Assessment

The study was conducted to provide baseline information on nine trace elements in three commercially significant fish species (Pampus argenteus, Sardinella longiceps, and Tenualosa ilisha) collected from four stations of coastal areas and five rivers of Bangladesh. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in most of the stations exceeded the maximum recommended limits proposed by different recognized organizations. High trace element contamination was observed in coastal areas, mainly in Kuakata, more than in rivers. The estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) indicated potential human health risk due to elevated concentrations of Pb exposure. The target cancer risk (TR) values of Cd suggested cancer risk to the inhabitants of coastal areas (especially Kuakata), thus becoming an issue of concern on public health of Bangladesh.