Fish consumption by children in Canada: Review of evidence, challenges and future goals

Elemental Fingerprinting of Wild and Farmed Fish Muscle to Authenticate and Validate Production Method

In the context of expanding fish production and complex distribution chains, traceability, provenance and food safety tools are becoming increasingly important. Here, we compare the elemental fingerprints of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) muscle from wild and different aquaculture productions (semi-intensive earth ponds and intensive sea cages from two locations) to confirm their origin and evaluate the concentrations of elements with regulatory thresholds (Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn). Using a chemometric approach based on multi-elemental signatures, the sample origin was determined with an overall accuracy of 90%. Furthermore, in a model built to replicate a real-case scenario where it would be necessary to trace the production method of S. aurata without reliable information about its harvesting location, 27 of the 30 samples were correctly allocated to their original production method (sea-cage aquaculture), despite being from another location. The concentrations of the regulated elements ranged as follows: Cu (0.140–1.139 mg/Kg), Hg (0–0.506 mg/Kg), Pb (0–2.703 mg/Kg) and Zn (6.502–18.807 mg/Kg), with only Pb presenting concentrations consistently above the recommended limit for human consumption. The present findings contribute to establishing elemental fingerprinting as a reliable tool to trace fish production methods and underpin seafood authentication.

Portuguese preschool children: Benefit (EPA+DHA and Se) and risk (MeHg) assessment through the consumption of selected fish species

This study aimed to assess the risk-benefit balance associated to fish consumption by Portuguese preschool children. For this purpose, databases (from IPMA and literature) were mined and mathematically processed by a model based on the Extreme Value Theory assuming consumption scenarios. Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and selenium (Se) and methylmercury (MeHg) were selected as critical components of fish, given their health impact and significant contents in some fish species. Assessment also took into account that Se may protect against MeHg toxicity. With exception of blue shark, Se Health Benefit Value (Se-HBV), was always positive (ranging between 3.3 and 14.9) and Se:MeHg ratio was always higher than one (3.8 to 32.3). It was also estimated that the deleterious effects of MeHg on children IQ were offset by the beneficial impact of EPA+DHA in fish except for grilled black scabbardfish consumed every day. Blue shark, regardless of the culinary treatment, yielded very high probabilities of exceeding MeHg TWI (higher than 84 % with a single weekly meal), thus raising serious concerns. EPA+DHA benefits were high in salmon regardless of culinary treatment (> 84 %). Fish consumption by children is advisable with exception of blue shark and boiled and grilled tuna.

Multiclass pesticide residue analysis in fish muscle and liver on one-step extraction-cleanup strategy coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The analysis of pesticide residues in fish samples is challenging due to the low concentrations and large number of analytes that need to be monitored and quantified in a complex matrix. This is the first report providing a novel one-step extraction-cleanup strategy for simultaneous analysis of over 340 pesticides in a fatty fish and liver matrix, coupled with liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The samples of fish muscle and liver were prepared according to the modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) procedure, wherein the extraction and cleanup protocol were integrated into one step. Among the tested cleanup dispersive solid phase extraction sorbents (C18, primary-secondary amine, Z-Sep), chitin yielded the best results. Spike-in experiments were carried out at three different spiking levels in fish and liver to determine the recovery, precision and limits of detection of the method as well as the matrix effect. The method's detection limits ranged from 0.05 to 1.2μgkg^-1, while recoveries of most pesticides were in the range of 70-120% with associated precision - relative standard deviations below 20%. A linear relationship was observed within the range of 0.005-1mgkg^-1, and the correlation coefficient was R²>0.997. Expanded measurement uncertainty was estimated to be between 7% and 52%, on average. Matrix effects were evaluated and were not significant for the vast majority of pesticides. The validated method was employed in the analysis of 54 real fish and liver samples in which 10 different pesticides with concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.047mgkg^-1 were detected.

Environmental pediatrics: an introduction and evaluation of online resources

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that three million children under the age of 5 die annually from environmentally related disease. In the United States, the cost of environmentally related public health concerns is estimated as greater than $55 billion. Environmental exposure is among parents' top health concerns for children. Yet, the study of the effects of environmental exposure on health outcomes is a developing field, and clinicians feel inadequately prepared to address these concerns. The Children's Environmental Health Clinic (ChEHC) is the first clinic of its kind in Canada. Their website includes a list of online resources on major topics related to child health and the environment. There has not yet been an objective evaluation of the comprehensiveness of the topics or scientific quality of the information on the website. This study seeks to offer an accessible introduction to the field of environmental pediatrics, including an online resource for evidence-based information on key topics in the field. These resources assist in disease prevention, health promotion, education, and the increasing need to balance environmental health risks.

METHODS

A scoping review of scientific and gray literature in the field of environmental pediatrics was performed to inform a written introduction to the field and to identify gaps in the content of the ChEHC website. The content of the ChEHC website was then objectively evaluated using the National Network of Libraries of Medicine checklist for health websites.

RESULTS

Ten categories within the field of environmental pediatrics emerged from the literature review. A small number of gaps were identified on the website and in the literature. The content of the ChEHC website was found to be of high quality.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The website will be updated using the results of the study as a guide, to make it as relevant, complete, and evidence-based as possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Environmental pediatrics is an important, emerging topic. There is a need for accessible, evidence-based pediatric environmental health resources for clinicians and the general public. The products of this study (a publication and website) respond to that need and thus assist in disease prevention and health promotion.