Journal of Advances in Food Science & Technology

Smoked-dried fish is an important source of affordable animal protein in Nigeria, but it may also represent a route of human exposure to toxic heavy metals. This study assessed the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in commonly consumed smoked-dried fish sold at Afor-Ugbolu Market, Delta State, Southern Nigeria, and evaluated the associated health risks for both adult and child consumers. Fish samples were digested using standard wet-acid procedures and analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Human health risks were evaluated using Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR) models based on USEPA guidelines. Zinc was the most abundant metal detected across all fish species, whereas cadmium and arsenic, though present at lower concentrations, contributed more substantially to health risk indices due to their higher toxicity. Recalculated THQ values for all metals were below unity for both adults and children. Similarly, cumulative Hazard Index values remained below the acceptable threshold (HI < 1), indicating no significant non-carcinogenic health risk under the assumed consumption scenario, although children exhibited consistently higher risk indices than adults. However, lifetime cancer risk assessment revealed that cadmium exposure exceeded the USEPA acceptable risk range, suggesting a potential long-term carcinogenic concern. Overall, smoked-dried fish sold at Afor-Ugbolu Market is generally safe with respect to non-carcinogenic health effects, but continuous monitoring is recommended to minimise long-term carcinogenic risks associated with cadmium exposure.