Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants which have caused worldwide concerns as toxic pollutant. This study reports the concentrations of 15 PAHs in 5 species of fish samples collected along the harbour line, Mumbai, between 2006 and 2008. Among 5 species of fish investigated, Mandeli, Coilia dussimieri, detected the maximum concentration of PAHs ( ) followed by Doma, Otolithes ruber. The concentration of total and carcinogenic PAHs ranged from 17.43 to 70.44？ng/g？wet？wt. and 9.49 to 31.23？ng/g？wet？wt, respectively, among the species tested. The lower-molecular-weight PAHs were detected at highest levels. Estimated intakes of PAHs by fish consumption for the general population were ranged between 1.77 and 10.70？ng/kg？body？weight/day. Mandeli contributed to the highest intakes of PAHs. The toxic equivalents (TEQs) of PAHs were calculated using a TEQ proposed in literature, and the intake ranged from 8.39 to 15.78？pg？TEQ/kg body？weight/d. The estimated excess cancer risk value ( – ) from fish consumption for the general population exceeded the guideline value (1.0 × 10？6) for potential cancer risk. 1. Introduction Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous anthropogenic pollutants that can be biologically amplified to high concentrations in food webs. Due to their lipophilicity, persistence, and high toxicity, these residues are readily accumulated in the tissues of nontarget living organisms where they may cause detrimental effects. PAHs are toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic to all organisms, including humans [1, 2]. The metabolites of PAHs may bind to proteins and DNA, which causes biochemical disruption and cell damage in animals and cancer in human [2]. The main sources of these contaminants in the environment include forest fire, natural petroleum seeps, combustion of fossil fuels, coal burning, and use of oil for cooking and heating [3, 4]. Other sources include domestic and industrial waste waters and sewage. As a consequence, environmental contamination by PAHs has steadily increased in recent years [5]. Dietary intake has been reported as an important route for human exposure to PAHs, except for smokers and occupationally exposed populations [6, 7]. Pollution by persistent chemicals is potentially harmful to the organisms at higher tropic levels in the food chain. The marine organisms like fish are able to accumulate severalfold higher concentration of PAHs than the surrounding water [8–10]. Fish is a major source of proteins and healthy lipids for people. In particular, the long-chain
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