Potential human health risks associated with ingestion of heavy metals through fish consumption in the Gulf of Guinea.

Heavy metal pollution of the marine environment has toxic implications for both the aquatic biota and human health. We examined the levels of Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As) and Mercury (Hg) in muscles of caught from the coastal waters of Ghana using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method. recorded the highest concentrations of all the metals (Cu:12.08 ± 1.46 µg/g, Zn: 19.20 ± 2.27 µg/g, As: 8.46 ± 2.42 µg/g, and Cd: 0.03 ± 0.01 µg/g) except Hg. Mercury was relatively high in (0.14 ± 0.03 µg/g). Apart from As, all metals were within globally permissible daily limits for consumption by human per meal. The estimated Target Hazard Quotient due to the intake of Hg through D. consumption exceeded the threshold value across all age categories. Carcinogenic risks due to As intake through consumption far exceeded the 10 threshold for all age groups in Ghana It is recommended that the consumption of these fish species particularly, the shrimp be done cautiously to avoid possible future health challenges.