ABSTRACT Drying of marine fish is widely practiced in the coastal areas of Bangladesh due to their high demand in domestic and international markets. However, the occurrence of toxic metals in dried marine fish could pose significant human health concerns in Bangladesh and exporting countries. This study investigated five toxic heavy metals, namely cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), in five popular dried marine fish species ( Pampus chinensis , Trichiurus savala , Harpadon nehereus , Setipinna phasa , and Dussumieria acuta ) collected from three major production areas: Dubla Island, Kuakata Beach, and St. Martin's Island. The results revealed consistently elevated Cr levels, particularly at Kuakata Beach, reflecting industrial impacts. Although Cd, Cu, and Pb mostly remained within acceptable limits, T . savala from Kuakata exhibited elevated Pb concentrations, highlighting localized contamination hotspots. Zinc levels were highest in D . acuta across all sites, surpassing permissible limits and suggesting species‐specific bioaccumulation. Anthropogenic influences including tourism‐related pollution and industrial discharge were identified as major contributors to toxic metal contamination. Notably, Cr was the only metal exceeding FAO/WHO limits in every sample tested, representing the most significant contamination concern observed in this study. However, health risk assessments indicated negligible noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from consuming these dried fish. Overall, the findings support the safety and export potential of Bangladesh's dried marine fish, while underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring.
Khatun et al. (Fri,) studied this question.