Cadmium, lead, and mercury in two commercial squid species from the north Adriatic Sea (central Mediterranean): contamination levels and health risk assessment.
Maria Olga Varrà, Lenka Husáková, Jan Patočka, Adriana Ianieri, Sergio Ghidini, Emanuela Zanardi
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引用次数: 2
Abstract
In this study, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and total mercury (Hg) concentrations in European squids (Loligo vulgaris) and flying squids (Todarodes sagittatus) from the northern Adriatic Sea (Italy) were analyzed. The risk of the Italian population being exposed to potentially hazardous metal concentrations through the consumption of these products was also assessed. Compared to European squids, flying squids showed three times higher total Hg concentrations and one hundred times higher Cd concentrations to the point that more than 6 and 25% of the samples exceeded the maximum Hg and Cd limits established by the current legislation. From the evaluation of dietary exposure levels, it emerged that the consumption of flying squids was associated with the highest Pb intake by children and, consequently, with the lower margin of exposure values in relation to the risk of neurotoxicity (margin of exposure=33). Consumption of flying squids, especially by children, was also associated with higher intakes of Cd, inorganic, and methyl-Hg, which, respectively, accounted for 156, 113, and 23% of the tolerable weekly intakes established for these contaminants at European level. The obtained results raise concern and it may be necessary to provide specific dietary advice on the moderate dietary consumption of some cephalopod species, especially to the youngest and most vulnerable segment of the population. However, besides the highly conservative deterministic method adopted in this study, a refined consumer exposure assessment should be performed through the probabilistic methodology, which is more suitable to represent the real exposure scenario.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Food Safety (IJFS) is the official journal of the Italian Association of Veterinary Food Hygienists (AIVI). The Journal addresses veterinary food hygienists, specialists in the food industry and experts offering technical support and advice on food of animal origin. The Journal of Food Safety publishes original research papers concerning food safety and hygiene, animal health, zoonoses and food safety, food safety economics. Reviews, editorials, technical reports, brief notes, conference proceedings, letters to the Editor, book reviews are also welcome. Every article published in the Journal will be peer-reviewed by experts in the field and selected by members of the editorial board. The publication of manuscripts is subject to the approval of the Editor who has knowledge of the field discussed in the manuscript in accordance with the principles of Peer Review; referees will be selected from the Editorial Board or among qualified scientists of the international scientific community. Articles must be written in English and must adhere to the guidelines and details contained in the Instructions to Authors.