Mercury in raw and cooked shrimp and mussels and dietary Brazilian exposure

Human health risks assessment of the fluctuations in mercury levels in seafood from different key regions of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Mercury (Hg) contamination on the Brazilian southeast coast has been highlighted, especially in relation to species of commercial importance. This study aimed to quantify the Hg concentration in species of mussels, fish, and crabs obtained from fishing colonies on the beaches of the west and south of the city of Rio de Janeiro, investigate the possible effect of seasonality, sex, and location sampling, and finally, the risk to consumer health in four different age groups. The difference between cooked and raw commercially available mussel samples was also verified. The main results highlight that the fish presented higher levels of Hg and that the mussel samples sold cooked presented lower levels of Hg when compared to the raw ones. For Micropogonias furnieri, Sardinella brasiliensis, and Callinectes spp., the season variable influenced Hg concentrations, while only for Merluccius merluccius was a difference between the sexes identified, with males having the highest values. Although Hg concentrations in animals were below the permitted limit, consumption of all species exceeded the monthly intake limit for this metal. For the hazard quotient (HQ) calculation, most species presented HQ > 1, especially when ingested by the child population. These results are fundamental for designing consumption strategies for these animals, in order to prioritize the acquisition of some species over others, depending on the location and/or season, for each age group, with the aim of maintaining seafood consumption with minimal risk to the population's health.

Total mercury and selenium levels in commercial shrimp along the Pacific coast of Mexico

The present study analyzed the content of total mercury (THg) and selenium (Se) in the muscle of shrimp collected from local markets in the 11 Pacific coastal states of Mexico. Methylmercury (MeHg) concentration, Se:Hg ratio, health benefits value from selenium consumption (HBVSe) and the permissible weekly consumption were estimated to assess the health risk to consumers. All THg and Se concentrations were below the maximum permissible limits. All hazard quotient (HQ) values were <1, however in Hermosillo, Culiacán and Guadalajara, the Se:Hg ratio and HBVSe were <1 and negative, due to the low concentrations of Se. As a general conclusion, there is no risk nor benefit from the consumption of shrimp from the Pacific coast of Mexico due to its Hg and Se content.

Heavy metal concentration according to shrimp species and organ specificity: Monitoring and human risk assessment

This study assessed heavy metal levels (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), total arsenic (tAs), arsenite (As (III)), arsenate (As (V)), monomethyl arsenic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), total mercury (tHg), and methylmercury (MeHg)) in six organs (total portion, head, body, shell, muscle, and intestine) of 11 shrimp species distributed in Korea. Shrimp exhibited significant variability in heavy metal accumulation, with Alaskan pink and dried shrimp (Lesser glass, Southern rough, and Chinese ditch prawn) showing the highest metal concentrations. Notably, the intestine having the highest overall metal content, while Cd was most prominent in the head, tHg was highest in the muscle. The Hazard Quotient values of 11 shrimp species in South Korea were below the European Food Safety Authority's allowable limits for heavy metals. This study illuminates the heavy metal profiles of distributed shrimp in Korea and emphasizes the ongoing need for monitoring heavy metals on seafood to ensure consumer safety.

Mercury contamination in seafood from an aquatic environment impacted by anthropic activity: seasonality and human health risk

Petroleum activity and the dumping of domestic and industrial sewage are important sources of mercury (Hg) contamination in the aquatic environment. Thus, this article aimed to biomonitor the Hg concentration in fish, mussels, and swimming crabs of commercial importance in southeastern Brazil. The quantifications were carried out over a year to verify the influence of seasonality. Finally, a risk assessment was applied to identify whether the concentrations found could lead to long-term damage to the population. Our results indicate that the contaminations were higher in spring, summer, and winter than in autumn, mainly among fish and swimming crabs. The results of quantification in the animal and estimated monthly intake, despite being below the limit established nationally and internationally, were indicative of risk for these two animals after calculating the Hazard quotient. The highest risk values were attributed to the infant population. Based on the data generated by this work, the consumption of mussels is encouraged throughout the year, to the detriment of the other types of seafood studied, especially during summer, spring, and winter. Our work reinforces the importance of risk assessment for a more reliable understanding of the impact of contaminants in seafood on the population's health.

Toxic metal and metalloid contamination in seafood from an eutrophic Brazilian estuary and associated public health risks

Guanabara Bay (GB) is a highly contaminated estuarine system and an important fishing area in Southeastern Brazil. In this regard, knowledge concerning the association of certain contaminants in seafood to abiotic factors and human health risk assessments is still understudied. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify nine toxic elements in highly consumed crabs, shrimp, and squid, and associate the results with abiotic factors. A human health risk assessment was also performed. Our findings indicate that crabs are the main bioaccumulators. Transparency and depth were noteworthy for all three taxonomic groups. In general, contaminant concentrations were below the limits established by different international agencies, except for As, which was higher than the Brazilian limit (1 mg kg^-1). However, the Hazard Index identified risks to consumer health for the ingestion of seafood. This study emphasizes the importance of jointly evaluating different toxic elements, for a more accurate health risk assessment.

Baseline titanium levels of three highly consumed invertebrates from an eutrophic estuary in southeastern Brazil

Titanium (Ti) is considered a contaminant of emerging interest, as it displays toxic potential and has been increasingly employed in everyday products, pharmaceuticals, and food additives, mainly in nanoparticle form. However, several knowledge gaps are still noted, especially concerning its dynamics in the water. In this context, this study aimed to quantify total Ti concentrations in highly consumed swimming crabs, squid, and shrimp from an important estuary located in southeastern Brazil. Ti concentrations were higher than those reported in most studies carried out worldwide. Animal length and weight, as well as, depth, transparency, dissolved oxygen, and salinity, significantly influence Ti concentrations in the animals. Human health risks were also noted after calculating a simulated exposure to titanium dioxide, especially considering the uncertainties regarding the effects of this element and the absence of regulatory limits.