Possible Influence of Natural Events on Heavy Metals Exposure from Shellfish Consumption: A Case Study in the North-East of Italy

Losasso, Carmen; Bille, Laura; Patuzzi, Ilaria; Lorenzetto, Monica; Binato, Giovanni; Pozza, Manuela Dalla; Ferrè, Nicola; Ricci, Antonia

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2015.00021

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Similarly, Pb content was much higher in the blue mussel than in other analyzed species. Our results are in good agreement with other published data from the European market [15][16][17] . www.nature.com/scientificreports/ The target hazard quotient (THQ) is a ratio of the potential exposure to a contaminant and the acceptable level of the same contaminant at which no adverse effects are expected (see the "Risk assessment evaluation" for details on the calculation).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Heavy metals in commercial fish and seafood products and risk assessment in adult population in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Djedjibegović

Marjanović

Tahirović

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

111

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This work investigates the level of exposure to cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) via fish and seafood products in adult population in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Metals content was determined in seven commercial species of fish and seafood products widely available and consumed in BiH. Analysis of Cd and Pb was performed by GFAAS (Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry), and analysis of Hg by FIAS AAS (flow injection cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry) in accredited laboratory for food analysis. The health risk was determined by the estimated weekly intake, hazard index, target hazard quotients, and percent of tolerable weekly intake or percent of benchmark dose lower confidence limit. Concentration above the maximum residue level (MRL) set in the European Union was found in only one sample (Hg in mackerel). Cd content was generally high in squid, approaching the corresponding MRL in two samples. The hazard index was close to 1 in bluefin tuna and mackerel, mostly due to Hg content. These two fish species should be consumed in moderation, especially by pregnant women. While consumption of various fish and seafood on average is not of significant concern, health risk could not be ruled out for high consumers. Fish is considered a significant part of a healthy, well-balanced diet due to its exceptional nutritional properties (high-quality proteins, vitamins, essential omega-3 fatty acids). Fish and seafood are unique dietary sources of cardioprotective docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) fatty acids. Thus, many public health authorities recommend regular fish consumption equivalent to at least 1-2 serving per week in order to prevent diet-related chronic diseases 1-3. Unfortunately, anthropogenic environmental impacts (industry, agriculture, mining) significantly increase the naturally occurring amounts of heavy metals in the environment, including the marine ecosystem. Consequently, marine organisms (fish, shellfish, crustaceans) can accumulate these metals to potentially toxic concentrations. Often, fish and other seafood represent one of the main sources of exposure to metals in the general population. Foods that contain toxic metals above the permitted levels are considered to be harmful to human health and are banned for trade by many national and international regulations. Maximum levels (MRL) of harmful substances in food in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are defined in the Regulation on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food 4. The same rules apply to food in the European Union 5-9. Some of the toxic effects of heavy metals include: impaired renal (Pb, Cd, Hg) and liver (Pb and Cd) function, decreased cognitive function (Pb, Hg), impaired reproductive capacity (Cd, Pb), hypertension (Cd), neurological changes (Hg, Pb), teratogenic effects (Hg), and cancers (Cd) 10-12. Our previous work showed that the content of heavy metals in certain samples of fish from the Neretva river (BiH) exceeds MRLs for some metals, and content found in many commercially available fi...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Heavy metals in commercial fish and seafood products and risk assessment in adult population in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Djedjibegović

Marjanović

Tahirović

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

111

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“…Specifically, we compared the concentrations of elements in mollusks that, like razor clams, live in the sand. The concentration ranges of Cd and Pb in our study were similar to those measured in C. gallina in Veneto [37], Marche [38] and Abruzzo [39] and to those detected in R. philippinarum in Veneto [40] and R. decussatus in the lagoon of Sardinia [24] (Table 2). In contrast, we found lower concentrations than those measured by Breda et al [41] in R. philippinarum in Portugal (Table 2).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

Essential and Non-Essential Elements in Razor Clams (Solen marginatus, Pulteney, 1799) from the Domitio Littoral in Campania (Southwestern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

Esposito

Canzanella

Danese

et al. 2022

Toxics

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The levels of essential (Cu, Cr, Co, Mn, Se, Zn) and non-essential (As, Be, Bi, Cd, Cs, Ga, Ni, Pb, Sr, Tl, U, V) trace elements were studied in razor clams (Solen marginatus) collected from the Tyrrhenian coast of Southern Italy at five selected sites along the Domitio littoral in the Campania region. The main objectives of this study were to assess the contamination status of these bivalve mollusks and to evaluate the risks to the environment and consumers due to metal contamination. The concentrations of 18 trace elements were determined after microwave-assisted mineralization and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of the toxic elements Pb and Cd were below the maximum levels established by Commission Regulation (EC) 1881/2006, while higher average concentrations of arsenic were found at each of the five sites studied. Regarding the other trace elements, contamination levels followed the order: Zn > Sr > Mn > Cu > Se > Cr > V > Ni > Co > Ga > Cs > Be > U > Bi > Tl. No significant differences among the sites were found with regard to any of the trace elements analyzed, and element levels in razor clams did not reflect sediment contamination. The results demonstrated the substantial food safety of the razor clams in this area with respect to heavy metals but revealed a potential health risk due to arsenic contamination in all the areas sampled.

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“…This blood Pb level was close to the exposure limit for neurotoxicity of Pb in children (5 µg/dL) [ 71 ]. Molluscs and crustaceans accumulate Cd and are also notorious hyperaccumulators of other metals [ 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 ]. For most species, fish muscle does not appear to be a significant source of Cd and Pb, but there are exceptions, as indicated in Section 3.1 [ 76 ].…”

Section: Exposure Sources and Dietary Intake Estimatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cadmium and Lead Exposure, Nephrotoxicity, and Mortality

Satarug

Gobé

Vesey

et al. 2020

Toxics

148

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The present review aims to provide an update on health risks associated with the low-to-moderate levels of environmental cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) to which most populations are exposed. Epidemiological studies examining the adverse effects of coexposure to Cd and Pb have shown that Pb may enhance the nephrotoxicity of Cd and vice versa. Herein, the existing tolerable intake levels of Cd and Pb are discussed together with the conventional urinary Cd threshold limit of 5.24 μg/g creatinine. Dietary sources of Cd and Pb and the intake levels reported for average consumers in the U.S., Spain, Korea, Germany and China are summarized. The utility of urine, whole blood, plasma/serum, and erythrocytes to quantify exposure levels of Cd and Pb are discussed. Epidemiological studies that linked one of these measurements to risks of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality from common ailments are reviewed. A Cd intake level of 23.2 μg/day, which is less than half the safe intake stated by the guidelines, may increase the risk of CKD by 73%, and urinary Cd levels one-tenth of the threshold limit, defined by excessive ß2-microglobulin excretion, were associated with increased risk of CKD, mortality from heart disease, cancer of any site and Alzheimer’s disease. These findings indicate that the current tolerable intake of Cd and the conventional urinary Cd threshold limit do not provide adequate health protection. Any excessive Cd excretion is probably indicative of tubular injury. In light of the evolving realization of the interaction between Cd and Pb, actions to minimize environmental exposure to these toxic metals are imperative.

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Possible Influence of Natural Events on Heavy Metals Exposure from Shellfish Consumption: A Case Study in the North-East of Italy

Cited by 7 publications

References 28 publications

Heavy metals in commercial fish and seafood products and risk assessment in adult population in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Heavy metals in commercial fish and seafood products and risk assessment in adult population in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Essential and Non-Essential Elements in Razor Clams (Solen marginatus, Pulteney, 1799) from the Domitio Littoral in Campania (Southwestern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

Cadmium and Lead Exposure, Nephrotoxicity, and Mortality

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