Trace Metal Contamination in Commercial Fish from the Ecuadorian Amazon: Preliminary Health Risk Assessment in a Local Market

Abstract

Trace metal pollution in tropical freshwater ecosystems poses growing public health concerns, particularly in regions where fisheries are central to food security; however, little is known about metal exposure risks in the Western Amazon. This study presents the first assessment of trace metal concentrations in fish sold at the main market in El Coca, a rapidly growing city in the Ecuadorian Amazon. We analyzed 11 trace metals in 17 commercially important species and estimated seven health risk indices based on two fish consumption scenarios and international reference dose standards. Our results show that all species exceeded recommended thresholds for arsenic, mercury, and lead, while one species surpassed guidelines for aluminum. Metal concentrations varied by species and river of origin: small catfish from the Payamino River had elevated cadmium, chromium, copper, and manganese levels, potentially linked to upstream gold mining, whereas larger catfish showed higher mercury and arsenic accumulation. Monte Carlo simulations of risk indices suggested overall some disease risk, but the lack of local demographic data limits accurate assessments for vulnerable groups. Despite sampling limitations, our findings offer the first baseline for monitoring trace metal exposure in the northern Ecuadorian Amazon and underscore the need for targeted public health strategies in this understudied region.

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