Potential human health risk assessment of trace metals via the consumption of marine fish in Persian Gulf

•Trace metals in wild marine fish from the Persian Gulf were investigated.•Metal concentrations descended in the following order: Zn > Cu > Pb ≈ Ni > Cd > .•The Cd and Pb may be potential risk to human.•No obvious health risk from the intake of trace elements through fish consumption.

This study was carried out to evaluate the concentration of trace metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the muscle of four fish species from the Persian Gulf. Trace metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and consumption rates advisory for minimizing chronic systemic effects in children and adults were estimated. The metals concentrations in analyzed fish samples were lower than legal limits. Cadmium target hazard quotient values suggested that the threshold to avoid the potential risk for children health is an exposure level lower than 3 meals per week. Hazard index values based on four metals (not including Pb) for the child age class were higher than those of the adult age class, suggesting that children may suffer from a higher health risk. This study provides information about the consumption limits of certain metals, in particular Cd, necessary for minimizing potential health risks resulting from human consumption.