Human Health Consumption Risk Assessment of Trace Metal Content in the Triggerfish Balistes spp. from the RAMSAR Site 1826 San Ignacio-Navachiste-Macapule Lagoon Complex

Trace metal (TM) concentrations and carcinogenic risk were determined in ninety-two edible samples of the triggerfish <i>Balistes</i> spp. from the RAMSAR site 1826 San Ignacio-Navachiste-Macapule Lagoon Complex (NAV). The acid digestion method and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer were used to determine TM concentrations. Calibration curves were carried out using TORT-3 reference materials. The blank and certified reference materials were treated using the same procedure as a sample. TM sequence was Zn > Fe > Mn > Cu = Pb > Ni > Cd, and a correlation (<i>p</i> = 0.0169) between size and concentrations was found. No correlation (<i>p</i> = 0.079) was found between weight and concentrations, or sampling sites and the concentrations. The highest concentrations were found during the summer, followed by the spring and winter of 2017, while the lowest was found in the winter of 2018. The Zn was significantly higher in summer-17. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) was <1 for Pb, Ni, Cd, Fe, Zn, and Cu, and 1.39 for Mn. Cd and Pb resulted in carcinogenic potential (CsFo < 1) with a very low probability. The TM concentrations and bioaccumulation in triggerfish showed no consumption risk, due to its omnivorous diet, and trophic transfer rates were described for aquatic food webs.