Abstract

• Analysis of some heavy metals in the muscle of some commercial fishes collected from Hlaing River in Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon Region were conducted during April 2015 to March 2017. Suspected toxic metals from industrial sewages such as Al, Cr, Cd, As, Ni, Hg and Pb were analysed in detail. The majority of tested heavy metals were found to be high concentration in the muscles of all studied commercial fish species. The concentration of Al, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg in the fish muscles were exceeding the permissible limits of FAO/WHO (1992) standard for human consumption. Condition factors of studied fishes were negatively correlated with the concentration of heavy metals in their muscles. High bioaccumulation factor value were observed in all studied fish species, so as tested heavy metals were accumulated by fish showing long term exposure of heavy metals to fish in its surrounding. The bioaccumulation factors of demersal fishes were higher in most of the tested metals than benthopelagic fishes. Bioaccumulation factors of all tested heavy metals were found to be higher in the dry season than other seasons. Daily consumption in large amount of studied fish species captured from the Hlaing River may cause health problems if bioaccumulation continues in the same rate without taking effective management for pollution in the Hlaing River.