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The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of a coal combustion power plant in the northern part of Vietnam with regard to elemental pollution on the surrounding environment. Freshwater fishes (Clarias fucus) were sampled both at a site exposed to the emissions of the power plant and at a reference site seemingly free from industrial activities. The elemental concentrations in muscle and liver tissue were analyzed using total-reflection X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy. A comparison of muscle tissue with International Standards (Food and Agricultural Organization) showed that the fishes from both sites did not constitute any health risk for human consumers with regard to the elements Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Pb and Cr. Generally, concentration differences between sites were found to be small in the edible tissue. Compared to the muscle tissue, concentrations of metals were …