Tissue distribution, dietary intake and human health risk assessment of organophosphate pesticides in common fish species from South African estuaries.

This study assessed the tissue distribution, dietary intake, and potential health risks of eight OPPs in Pomadasys commersonnii (Spotted grunter) and Mugil cephalus (Flathead mullet) from the Sundays and Swartkops estuaries in South Africa. The highest concentration in fish tissues was found in muscles of M. cephalus (178 ± 80.4 ng/g ww) and P. commersonnii (591 ± 280 ng/g ww) from Sundays Estuary. The ∑ 6 OPPs concentration in muscles from both fish species was higher in muscles than in the gills with fenitrothion dominating the distribution profile. Results from the path analysis indicate that lipid, weights, and length of the fish species do not influence the concentration of OPPs in the studied fish species. The calculated hazard ratios, which represent the non-carcinogenic risks, were less than one for all OPPs, indicating that the concentration of OPPs detected in fish muscles had negligible consequences on human health. [Display omitted] • Six OPPs were detected in tissues of both fish species. • Higher OPPs levels were found in muscles compared to gills. • Fenitrothion was the dominant pesticides. • Paths analysis showed fish physical parameters do not influence ∑ 6 OPPs occurrence. • No non-cancer risk was associated with the consumption of both fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]