“…In the present study, risk evaluations were conducted for the first time to determine the potential hazards that may arise as a result of consuming mussels from the Romanian coast the Black Sea, similar with the approaches used in other Black Sea regions, by calculating the health risk indices including the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total hazard quotient (TTHQ), and carcinogenic risk index (CRI) for heavy metals [27]. In the present study, risk evaluations were conducted for the first time to determine the potential hazards that may arise as a result of consuming mussels from the Romanian coast the Black Sea, similar with the approaches used in other Black Sea regions, by calculating the health risk indices including the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total hazard quotient (TTHQ), and carcinogenic risk index (CRI) for heavy metals [27] Another concern regards environmental safety. Due to its specific characteristics, morphological climatic, and hydrological properties, the Black Sea is highly susceptible to environmental damage caused by human activities which disrupts the balance of the marine ecosystem, putting the health of fish and shellfish at risk [18].…”