Heavy Metals in Processed Fish Commercially Available in the Philippines: An Environmental Toxicology Study

Fish is the staple viand for Filipinos. Unsurprisingly, fish processing becomes a livelihood in the Philippines. Lead, cadmium and chromium contamination in fish may result to adverse health effects. This study aimed to determine such heavy metals in processed fish (dried and smoked) in both head and meat sold in the markets of Metro Manila, Philippines. The levels were compared with each other. The levels of heavy metals obtained were also compared with standard limits set by the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The samples were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. All processed fish smoked and dried fish samples contained lead, cadmium and chromium. Smoked Bisugo (Nemipterus japonicus) head had lead that went beyond the allowed limit. All dried fish samples contained cadmium beyond the acceptable limit. Smoked Galunggong (Decapterus macrosoma) meat went beyond the acceptable cadmium limit. Chromium in all samples went beyond the acceptable limit. Using Student’s t-test, the levels of lead and cadmium (head, meat) in processed fish showed statistically insignificant difference similar to chromium in smoked but not for dried fish. Hence, all processed fish samples contain lead, cadmium and chromium. The species and body parts with heavy metals beyond the acceptable limits vary. Keywords - Environmental toxicology, acid digestion, fl ame atomic absorption spectroscopy, lead, cadmium, chromium, experimental design, Philippines