Study of Presence of Selected Heavy Metals in the Fish of Lake Victoria as a Predisposing Factor to Lifestyle Diseases in the 21st Century

Authors: Fredrick OO*, Abuto EO, Kiprop CK and Kaneza YU

Volume 6, Issue 3

Abstract

Journal of contemporary issues facing the 21st century is heavy metals poisoning, especially in foods consumed, and resulting into lifestyle diseases such as cancers. “What we eat, in what quantity, and how that food is produced, can be the difference between life and death.” Fish in Lake Victoria form the major source of protein among the majority of dwellers around this Lake. “In many places fish become so contaminated by the filth on which they feed as to be a cause of disease. This is especially the case where the fish come in contact with the sewage of large cities. When used as food they bring disease and death on those who do not suspect the danger. There are a majority of agricultural and industrial activities taking place at the lake side, and along the river banks leading into the lake resulting in contamination of aquatic animals, fish inclusive. These toxins can be transferred into the human body through consumption of the affected fish or aquatic animals in these water bodies. This research uses Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy to determine the presence and the levels of the Pb, and Cd in fish of Lake Victoria. ANOVA F-test was conducted to determine whether the distribution of selected heavy metals in separate fish tissues was dependent on the species of fish. The analysis was also used determine whether the concentrations of the heavy metals were dependent on fishing grounds. The F-test was conducted at (α=0.05) 95% confidence interval. Using the mean concentrations of the selected heavy metals in vivo, graphical analysis of the data was obtained using Microsoft Excel sheet (Version 2013) and comparatively determined using bar graphs. This research is important as it will help various locals on the choice of healthy meals by informing them whether the most commonly preferred fish dish is still healthy. It will also help various researchers in finding the solution to various lifestyle diseases and infections associated with various meals taken in a lifetime.

Keywords: Heavy Metals; Fish of Lake Victoria; Lifestyle Diseases

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