Concentration of arsenic and health risk in big head carp fish (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) cultured in Laguna lake fish pen in Pililla, Rizal / Ken Darwin B. Hilado.

Thesis Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science University of Rizal System Tanay 2020

Includes bibliographical references.

This study focuses on the concentration of arsenic and health risk of bighead carp (hypophthalmichthys nobilis) consumption cultured in Pililla, Rizal. Water and fish samples were collected in three sampling sites in of the one fish pen in the town and immediately submitted to the laboratory of SGS Philippines, Inc. for water and arsenic analysis. Concentration of arsenic in water were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry Method (3114B). The heavy metal analysis for arsenic (As) in fish were carried out by SGS Philippines, Inc. laboratory using microwave digestion and quantitation by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometer (ICP - OES). Physicochemical properties of water namely temperature, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were analyzed by an accredited laboratory, while the temperature was determined using a thermometer. The data for Physicochemical properties of water, concentration of arsenic in water and concentration of arsenic (As) in bighead carp (hypophthalmichthys nobilis) in all sampling sites are within the standard of water quality for Class C waters set by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Estimates of health risk associated with fish consumption were summarized according to non- carcinogenic and carcinogenic health effects. Non-carcinogenic Health Quotient (THQ) values which less than 2.88 X 10-7 are low and do not pose harm to human health. The carcinogenic health risks value associated with consumption of bighead carp in all sampling sites is found to be less than <5.56 X 10-6 . This is below the threshold value of 1.0 x 10-6 . Consumption of bighead carp cultured in the sampling sites do not pose risk of developing cancer to consumers.