Potential human health risks from metals (Hg, Cd, and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) via seafood consumption: Estimation of target hazard quotients (THQs) and toxic equivalents (TEQs)
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Abstract
Edible marine species (fish, cephalopod molluscs, crustaceans) from the Adriatic Sea
were analyzed for content in heavy metals (Hg, Cd and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs). Health risks to human via dietary intake of seafood were assessed by the target
hazard quotients (THQs) and the toxic equivalent factors (TEFs). Mercury maximum concentrations
corresponded to fish (0.07-1.56 microg g(-1)w.w.), followed by cephalopod molluscs
(0.10-0.55 microg g(-1)w.w.), and crustaceans (0.27-0.33 microg g(-1)w.w.). Cadmium
levels in cephalopods (0.18-0.59 microg g(-1)w.w.) were higher than those in fish
(0.01-0.05 microg g(-1)w.w.) and crustaceans (0.02-0.04 microg g(-1)w.w.), while for
Pb the concentrations were generally low (fish: ND-1.18 microg g(-1)w.w., cephalopods:
ND-0.17 microg g(-1)w.w., crustaceans: ND-0.03 microg g(-1)w.w.). For PCBs, concentrations
in fish, cephalopods and crustaceans ranged between 141 and 3,406 ng g(-1)l.w., 190
and 542 ng g(-1)l.w., and 202 and 429 ng g(-1)l.w., respectively. Cd and Pb THQ values
as well as estimates of PCB TEQ exposure indicated the absence of health risks through
consumption of the various seafood. In contrast, mercury TEQs values due to consumption
of certain fish species (albacore, rosefish and thornback ray) indicated that human
health risk might be of concern.