Human health risk assessment due to consumption of dried fish in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: a baseline report

Analysis of Heavy Metal Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Dried Fish Marketed in Guangzhou, China

This study investigated heavy metal contamination in dried fish sold in Guangzhou, China, and evaluated the resultant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Dried fish samples were purchased from Baiyun, Tianhe, Panyu, and Yuexiu districts in Guangzhou, where the population is substantial. They were randomly acquired in bustling supermarkets and farmers' markets, targeting the most popular dried fish in these areas. Sixty samples from five dried fish types (Stolephorus chinensis, Thamnaconus modestus, Nemipterus-virgatus, river fish, Ctenopharyngodon idella) were analyzed for chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) content. Quantification of the heavy metals were carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Cr, As, Cd, and Pb, and an automatic mercury analyzer for Hg. The median concentration of these heavy metals in dried fish were 0.358 mg/kg, 2.653 mg/kg, 0.032 mg/kg, 0.083 mg/kg, and 0.042 mg/kg, respectively. Pollution severity was ranked as dried Nemipterus-virgatus > dried Stolephorus chinensis > dried Thamnaconus modestus > dried river fish > dried Ctenopharyngodon idella, with As being the most predominant pollutant. All fish types showed severe As pollution. Non-carcinogenic risks were identified in the consumption of dried Nemipterus-virgatus and dried Stolephorus chinensis for both genders, while potential carcinogenic risks were associated with four of the fish types. Women faced higher health risks than men from dried fish consumption. Consequently, we advise consumers to minimize their intake of dried fish and regulatory agencies conduct regular monitoring of heavy metal levels in commercially available dried fish to avert potential health risks.

Radiological hazard assessment of 210Po in freshwater mussels (Sinanodonta jourdyi) and golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Vietnam

210Po is a significant source of ionizing radiation that people are exposed to through food globally. This paper presents the wide range of accumulation level of 210Po in the organs of two species of shellfish including freshwater mussel (Sinanodonta jourdyi) and golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata), common freshwater species in Vietnam. There was a significant correlation between 210Po activity in muscle to their mass and size of freshwater mussels. In contrast, there was no relation between other organs of both species with their mass and size. The annual effective dose due to consumption of freshwater mussels ranged from 68.7 to 291 μSv year-1 with a mean value of 138 μSv year-1 for muscle and from 321 to 4560 μSv year-1 with a mean value of 1422 μSv year-1 for the hepatopancreas. Meanwhile, the AED for golden apple snail was recorded to be higher with values ranging from 105 to 2189 μSv year-1 with mean value of 673 μSv year-1 for muscle and from 468 to 4155 μSv year-1 with a mean value of 2332 μSv year-1 for hepatopancreas. Thus, the consumption of these two types of shellfish is considered relatively safe, but the hepatopancreas gland must be removed before processing.