Metallic contamination of fish from the Congo River and health risk assessment in the population of Mbandaka, democratic republic of Congo

The objective of this study was to determine lead and cadmium levels of fish caught in the Congo River at the port of Bolenge in Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to assess the health risk for local consumers. For this, 3 fish species chosen according to their trophic criteria were surveyed for their metallic content (Tilapia nilotica (n=30), Mormyrops anguilloides (n=30) and Schilbe mystus (n=30). Fish samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, energy dispersive version, brand Xepos III. Analytical results showed that the metallic contamination levels were found above the edibility standard of the European Union. The health risk to consumers (children, adolescents and adults) has only been observed in children aged 5 to less than 12 years who continuously consume the same amount of fish as an adolescent or adult. Their hazard quotients are greater than 1