Risk of Mercury Ingestion from Canned Fish in Poland

Abstract

In this study, total mercury content was determined in 84 canned fish corresponding to commonly consumed brands (over 14 different producers), which were purchased from local markets in Poland in the years 2019–2020. For comparison purposes, samples of both the matrix in which the fish were kept along with the seafood samples were measured. The analyses were carried out using the cold vapor AAS technique. Statistical analyses were employed to identify significant differences in mercury content in relation to the selected criteria such as fish species, type of fish (predatory, non-predatory) and the producer brand. The obtained results were compared against domestic and international standards as well as with the literature data in order to evaluate the safety of the canned fish consumption. The study revealed that none of canned fish exceeded the acceptable levels set by the FAO/WHO. The highest amount of Hg was recorded for canned tuna (maximum 351.30 µg/kg, mean 74.38 µg/kg). Further, the estimated tolerable dose of weekly mercury intake suggests that the consumption of over 1.8 cans of fish with the highest mean mercury content should not pose a risk to consumers in Poland according to international standards. Among the ten highest mean results for mercury, five of them belonged to canned tuna (Bonito species) kept in different matrices. These consisted of seven domestic and three imported brands of fish products, which is a worrying message for a local community. Mercury content in predatory fish differed significantly from the results gathered for non-predatory fish and the total amount of mercury in studied canned fish corresponded to their status in the aquatic food chain. Moreover, significant differences were stated between various fish species and fishing areas. Fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean (cod and herring) presented higher mercury content than the ones from closed seas.

Mercury concentrations in domestic and imported canned bivalves and cephalopods sold in northwestern Mexico

“…These authors argued that the high variability in metal concentrations may have been responsible for the lack of differences. In a study with canned tuna in oil matrices, salads, sauces, and pastes, no statistically significant differences were found among presentations, and it was concluded that Hg content was not affected by the packaging medium (Pawlaczyk et al 2020). High variability in metal content among canned fisheries products makes it difficult to establish patterns of Hg accumulation.…”

“…Copyediting by MacTavish Scientific Editing. diferencias significativas entre las diferentes presentaciones y se concluyó que el contenido de Hg no se ve afectado por el medio en el cual se enlata (Pawlaczyk et al 2020). La elevada variabilidad en el contenido de metales en los moluscos enlatados dificulta el establecimiento de patrones de acumulación de Hg.…”

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Diet Review

“…Also, mercury has been suspected to be part of ALS pathogenesis [ 136 ], but results are inconclusive, especially regarding mercury exposure from diet, and in particular seafood consumption [ 137 ]. Mercury is produced by several industries and stores in aquatic predatory organisms such as shark, swordfish, mackerel and tuna [ 138 ]. Mercury can generate oxygen free radicals, promote excitotoxicity, and decrease DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, [ 139 ], all processes that have been associated with ALS [ 140 ].…”

Health risk assessment of methyl mercury from fish consumption in a sample of adult Qatari residents

“…Moreover, these differences may be attributed to the difference in fish species and fishing areas. Fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean presented higher mercury content than the ones from closed seas (Pawlaczyk et al, 2020). In addition, T-Hg concentrations might also be affected by the size/age of the fish species (Wei et al, 2018).…”