ABSTRACT
This study has been carried out to determine the concentrations mg/Kg of the toxic elements (Al,
Hg, Cd, Pb, U, Th, and As) and essential elements (K, Sn, Ca, Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, and Mn) using inductively
coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer, and the radionuclides concentration levels of (238U, 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs) using a high purity germanium spectrophotometer in ten of the most
common fish samples collected from local store in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia during 2014. The results
showed that, the concentrations of the elements (Al, Hg, Pb and Cu) in all fish samples were
not detected or below the detection limit. The concentrations of metals (Cd, U, Th, As, K, Sn, Ca, Ni,
Fe, Co, and Mn) were below the recommended limit by the international organizations. The estimated
metal dose (EDI) values for daily average consumption were lower than the recommended
values by FAO/WHO, and hazard indices (HI) in fish samples were below safety levels for human
consumption (HI < 1) except (HI) for Ca element with values were greater than one (>1), then this
increase is to be of concern for fish consumer. The measured concentrations in (Bq/Kg) dry weight
of natural radionuclides 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and fallout 137Cs in fish samples were calculated. The
results show that the activities in fish samples were of no risk to public health. The total average
annual effective dose μSv/y due to intake of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K from the ingestion of the fish
samples were estimated to be 6.07 for infants (≤5 Y), 22.88 and 45.03 for children (5 - 10 Y and 10
- 15 Y) and 56.26 for adults (≥17 y), which are lower than the allowed value (1 mSv). The contribution
of 137Cs is nearly negligible. This study could be useful as a baseline data for toxic, essential
metals, and radiation, exposure.