Human Health risk assessment of heavy metal accumulation through consumption of fishes cultured in Sewage water, municipal waste water in Maharashtra, India

Abstract The progress of aquaculture, agriculture, and industrial development activities has led to the increased pollution and emissions from aquatic ecosystems. Heavyecosyste.Heavy metals are the most common pollutants in aquatic ecosystems and their areas. This observation deals with the human health risk assessment of metal accumulation through the consumption of these fishes.The Target Hazard Quotient value of Zn goes to 17.9; Pb was 7.3; Ni 5.3; Cu 17.2; Hg 1.08; and Cd was 0.4 recorded in the study area in food fish.) The accumulation of heavy metals in fish cultured in sewage and municipal wastewater poses a significant risk to human health risks. In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Hg, and Cd) in fish tissues collected from the Godavari River, Nanded, and Maharashtra. These metals are introduced into the aquatic environment through industrial activities, domestic wastewater, and other anthropogenic sources and eventually enter the food chain. Analytical results revealed concentrations of heavy metals exceeding permissible limits, with potential adverse effects on both aquatic life and human health, including neurological, renal, and developmental issues. Health risk assessments were conducted using established formulas to estimate the exposure levels. These findings underline the urgent need for wastewater treatment measures and public awareness to mitigate the health risks associated with consumption of contaminated fish consumption.