Seafood safety concerns: Human health risks from heavy metal bioaccumulation in crustaceans from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Heavy metal contamination in marine organisms threatens both ecosystem health and food safety. This study quantified six metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and As) in muscle tissues of shrimp, crabs, and lobster collected from two landing sites along the Cox’s Bazar coast, Bangladesh. Concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and human health risks were evaluated through estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TCR). Significant species-specific differences ( p < 0.05) were observed, with crabs showing higher accumulation of Cu, Cr, and As, whereas Pb remained consistently lowest across all species. Non-carcinogenic risks assessed by EDI, THQ, and HI values were within safe thresholds for consumers at current intake levels. In contrast, carcinogenic risk estimates for Cd and Cr slightly exceeded thresholds in several species, particularly Portunus pelagicus and P. sanguinolentus . These findings identify crabs as the most critical group requiring targeted monitoring in seafood safety programs. Although overall contamination levels complied with international food safety guidelines, some risk indices approached critical thresholds. This study provides the first integrated assessment of heavy metal contamination in shrimp, crabs, and lobster from Cox’s Bazar, establishing a baseline for seafood safety monitoring in Bangladesh.