Bioaccumulation and ecotoxicological effects of heavy metals in edible fish species: implications for food safety and public health: A review

Abstract

Aquatic habitats contaminated by heavy metals have become a serious environmental and public health issue. Because edible fish species can bioaccumulate hazardous elements like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic through trophic transmission, they serve as important bioindicators. The origins, routes, and bioaccumulation patterns of heavy metals in fish are summarized in this review, which focuses on the ecotoxicological effects of these metals on physiological, biochemical, and histological parameters. Long-term exposure to these metals damages fish's brain and reproductive systems, interferes with metabolic processes, and causes oxidative stress. Additionally, eating tainted fish puts people at serious risk for both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health impacts. The evaluation also emphasizes risk assessment techniques, such as the bioaccumulation factor and hazard quotient, to identify possible dangers. To guarantee food safety and safeguard public health, it is crucial to comprehend these relationships in order to create efficient monitoring plans, legal regulations, and sustainable practices.