A total of 100 random muscle samples of Oreochromis niloticus, Claries lazera, imported Mugil cephalus and Scomber scombrus fish (25 of each) were collected from different markets in Fayoum City for determination of lead, cadmium, copper and mercury residual levels to ascertain whether these levels exceeded the prescribed legal limits. The mean mercury level in the edible muscles tissues of fish species were ranged from below detectable level to 0.29 ppm in local fish and to 0.28 ppm in imported fish. The residual levels were not exceeded the prescribed legal limits of the European Commission Regulation (EC). The highest mean levels of cadmium were recorded in Mackerel (0.119 ± 0.060, ppm) which exceeded the permitted values stipulated by European Commission (EC). The samples in this study contained copper within of the general guideline limit for copper in food. The highest mean levels of lead were also recorded in Mackerel (0.477±0.073 ppm) which exceeded the permitted value stipulated by European Commission (EC). The results were evaluated according to International standards of WHO and EC. The provisional tolerable weekly intakes used in this study to assess the relative safety of marketed in Fayoum. The public health significance of heavy metal residues in fishes were also discussed.

A total of 120 fish samples were collected from different water sources in El Fayoum Governorate, (Bahr El Banat agricultural drainage, different fish farms and Al Rayaan Lake). and represented by Clarias gariepinus from Bahr El Banat agricultural drainage, different fish farms (15 each), Mugil cephalus from different fish farms and Al Rayaan Lake (15 each), Solea solea (30 samples) and Oreochromis niloticus from Bahr El Banat agricultural drainage, different fish farms and Al Rayaan Lake (10 each). Fourteen organochlorine compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography. Fish samples from Bahr El Banat revealed the highest mean levels of p,p'-DDD, endrin, endosulfan, γ-chlordane, heptachlor and γ-HCH, while fish samples from Al Rayaan Lake have shown the highest mean level of methoxychlor, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, δ-HCH and α-HCH. Most of the examined fish samples from different species, are within the maximum residue limits and should not pose a health risk to consumers. The public health hazards were discussed as well as recommendations were done.

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