Abdul Wahab Khan
Panaji
Goans eating dried fish or kharem have bad tidings: a recent study has uncovered dangerously high levels of heavy metal contamination in dried fish, which is especially consumed during the monsoon season.
The study, titled ‘Assessment of heavy metal contamination risk in dry fish from India’, analysed 111 dried fish samples collected from various regions, including Guwahati in Assam, Mumbai and Karad in Maharashtra, and Goa.
The results were alarming, revealing that arsenic (As) was the most prevalent contaminant in all the locations.
In Maharashtra and Assam, the heavy metal load was identified in the order of arsenic (As) > chromium (Cr) > nickel (Ni) > vanadium (V) > cadmium (Cd) > lead (Pb) > cobalt (Co)> mercury (Hg) while in Goa, the order was similarly concerning: As > Cr > Ni > V > Cd > Co > Pb > Hg.
The study was led by Roshan Borkar from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati.
Researchers Sagar D Sonone, Sachin B Jorvekar, Dhanavath Dattu Naik, and Nilotpal Saharia were also part of the team.
The findings, published this week in the journal Food Control, have raised urgent health concerns for consumers who rely on dried fish as a primary source of protein.
The researchers employed rigorous methods for validation, utilising a validated inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method to analyse heavy metals, ensuring the reliability of the analytical approach.
“The presence of these metals poses significant health risks, particularly due to the bioaccumulation of arsenic, which is known to have severe toxic effects,” the study has noted.
The research has assessed the daily intake of heavy metals through dried fish consumption, revealing that both adults and children are at risk.
However, children are particularly vulnerable, with the researchers stating, “As and Cd posed higher risks to children,” highlighting the urgent need for protective
measures.
The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI) values for all metals were found to be within acceptable limits for adults, but the situation was markedly different for children, who exhibited higher risks, especially at elevated percentiles.
The health risks associated with heavy metal exposure are grave. The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorised arsenic as a category 1 carcinogen, linked to various cancers and skin lesions.
Cadmium, also a carcinogen, is known to cause kidney damage and bone fragility.
Lead exposure can result in neurotoxicity, particularly in children, leading to developmental delays.
Mercury is associated with neurological and behavioural disorders, while chromium and nickel can cause respiratory issues and skin irritation.
The study has warned that “the consumption of heavy metal-contaminated dried fish can result in various health issues including cancer, neurotoxicity, kidney and liver damage, reproductive disorders, and developmental delays in children.”
The findings serve as a wake-up call for consumers and regulatory bodies alike, stressing the importance of ongoing monitoring and regulation to safeguard public health against the risks posed by contaminated dried fish.
“This research emphasises the necessity for strict monitoring and regulations with the aim of controlling health hazards related to heavy metal pollution in food sources,” the researchers maintained.
