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Analysis of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Smoked Fish from the Major Food Markets in the Accra-Tema Metropolis

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Analysis of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Smoked Fish from the Major Food Markets in the Accra-Tema Metropolis University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF GHANA ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN SMOKED FISH FROM THE MAJOR FOOD MARKETS IN THE ACCRA-TEMA METROPOLIS BY OFFEIBEA ABBOAH-OFFEI (10550489) THIS DISSERTATION IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE DEGREE JULY, 2016 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I hereby declare that this submission is my own work towards the Master of Science in Occupational Hygiene degree and that to the best of my knowledge, it contains no material previously published by another person nor material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree of the university, except where due acknowledgement has been made in text. ………………………………….. …………………………………. Abboah-Offei Offeibea Date (Student) ………………………………… ………………………………….. Dr. John Arko-Mensah Date (Supervisor) …………………………………. …………………………………… Prof. Julius Fobil Date (Supervisor) i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION I dedicate this work to God, my parents Mr. and Rev. Mrs. Abboah-Offei and my sister Ofosua Abboah-Offei. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to my supervisors Dr. John Arko- Mensah and Prof. Julius Fobil for their guidance throughout this research work. Further appreciation goes to Mr. Prince Owusu of the Ecological Laboratory at the Department of Geography and Resource Development. I am also grateful to Mr. Hubert Agbogli, Mr. Emmanuel Danso-Boafo, and Mr. Cecil Botchway for all their contributions towards this work. This study was funded by the West Africa-Michigan Collaborative Health Alliance for Reshaping Training, Education and Research in Global Environmental and Occupational Health (WEST AFRICA-MICHIGAN CHARTER II). iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT Introduction: Heavy metals contaminate soils, water bodies, and also the ambient environment. Fish could be contaminated by heavy metals through pollution of water bodies, as a result of industrial discharge, agricultural run-offs, mining activities, and weathering of rocks. Many of the food markets in Ghana are open markets where foodstuffs are usually displayed in the open, often exposed to the environment. Processed fish, especially smoked fish is a major source of protein and a delicacy in Ghana. Smoked fish, as in other foodstuffs is sold on flat trays and open baskets, which results in direct exposure to the environment. Contamination of fish may occur at source (in aquatic environment), or through ambient exposure to elemental heavy metal dust. Objective: To assess the concentrations of Arsenic (As), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), and Nickel (Ni) in smoked fish from major food markets in the Accra-Tema Metropolis. Method: Smoked fish was sampled from six (6) major food markets in the Accra-Tema Metropolis and analyzed for heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg and Ni) contamination using a Pinnacle 900T Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results: The mean concentrations of mercury and nickel were (0.365-0.738 mg/kg) and (0.47 – 0.52 mg/kg) respectively, whereas lead and arsenic were not detected. The mean concentrations of Ni and Hg were detected in all fishes sampled: Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Mudfish (Clarias anguillaris), Tuna (Thunnus albacores) and Salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.) Conclusion: The study revealed that smoked fish sold on the open markets have various levels of mercury and nickel, with marine fishes recording the highest levels of these metals. iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. I DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................III ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... IV TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................... V LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... VIII LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... IX LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................. X CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................................1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................1 1.2 Problem Statement .....................................................................................................4 1.3 Main Objective...........................................................................................................5 1.4 Specific Objectives ....................................................................................................6 1.5 Justification ................................................................................................................6 CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................7 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ..............................................................................................7 2.1 Background of heavy metals ......................................................................................7 2.2 Health effects of heavy metals ...................................................................................8 2.3 Fish processing...........................................................................................................9 v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.4 Some heavy metals in fish .......................................................................................10 2.4.1 Nickel ....................................................................................................................10 2.4.2 Mercury .................................................................................................................11 2.4.3 Lead.......................................................................................................................12 2.4.4 Arsenic ..................................................................................................................13 2.4.5 Cadmium ...............................................................................................................14 CHAPTER THREE ...........................................................................................................16 3.0 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................16 3.1 Type of study ...........................................................................................................16 3.2 Study area.................................................................................................................16 3.3 Variables of interest .................................................................................................17 3.4 Study population ......................................................................................................17 3.4.1 Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) ............................................................................18 3.4.2 Mudfish (Clarias anguillaris) ...............................................................................19 3.4.3 Tuna (Thunnus albacores) ....................................................................................20 3.4.4 Salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.) ..................................................................................21 3.5 Sampling Procedure/Method ...................................................................................22 3.6 Data collection techniques and tools........................................................................22 3.7 Laboratory analysis ..................................................................................................23 3.7.1 Sample Preparation ...............................................................................................24 3.8 Quality Control ........................................................................................................25 3.9 Data Processing and Analysis ..................................................................................25 vi University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 3.10 Ethical Consideration/ Issues .................................................................................26 CHAPTER FOUR ..............................................................................................................27 4.0 RESULTS ....................................................................................................................27 CHAPTER FIVE ...............................................................................................................31 5. 0 DISCUSSION .............................................................................................................31
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