Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Exposure from Sinanodonta woodiana in Krueng Meureubo River, West Aceh

The increasing intensity of industrial activities in the coastal area of West Aceh has the potential to contaminate aquatic environments with heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg), which can accumulate in aquatic biota and pose health risks to humans. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of heavy metals in Sinanodonta woodiana, assess community exposure levels based on consumption patterns, and estimate non-carcinogenic health risks using the Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA) approach. The study was conducted at four sampling sites along the Krueng Meureubo River and involved 141 respondents. Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, while health risks were assessed based on daily intake and Hazard Quotient (HQ) values. The results indicated that Pb (2.36–5.65 mg/kg) and Hg (1.10–53.27 mg/kg) concentrations in mussel tissue exceeded national food safety limits, whereas Cr concentrations (