Production of cosmetics and fishmeal from mercury-contaminated fish-extracts prior to waste disposal on municipal dump sites

The potential effect of deploying mercury-contaminated fish-extracts for the manufacture of cosmetics and fishmeal, and discarding the ensuing waste material on municipal dumps was investigated. Our study showed that some levels in fishmeal were elevated and could exceed 600 μg/kg; while the concentrations in fish-oil (for cosmetics production) and fish-water (dumped) were appreciable and reached levels of 16 and 12 μg/kg, respectively. Samples, collected from a central production plant were analysed directly by the cold-vapour atomic absorption method. The method was validated by the use of standard addition, and acceptable relative standard deviations, well within ±5% were attained. Possible safety and remedial measures are discussed.