Evaluating contamination of seafood purchased from U.S. retail stores by persistent environmental pollutants, pesticides and veterinary drugs

Abstract

Studies have reported health risks associated with seafood contamination, but few data exist on levels in commercially available seafood in the US. To better understand, the magnitude of foodborne exposure and identify vulnerable populations in the US, we measured concentrations of veterinary drugs, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs], polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs] and polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]), and legacy and current-use pesticides in 46 seafood samples purchased from retail outlets. Measured levels were used to estimate risk based on available maximum residue limits (MRLs) and toxic equivalence (TEQ) factors for analytes. Only seventeen of the 445 analytes were detected, at low substance frequencies. However, half of the samples tested positive for one or more analyte, with total concentrations ranging from below the limit of detection (LOD) to as high as 156 µg/kg wet weight. Based on the risk assessment for individual pesticides and veterinary drugs, the hazard quotients (HQ) were all <1, indicating no risk. However, for the sum of PCB126 and PCB167, two dioxin-like PCBs detected in our samples, the TEQ was nearly two orders of magnitude higher than the WHO limits in one catfish sample. Moreover, vulnerable groups with higher rates of consumption of specific fish types may face higher risks.

Keywords:

• Risk assessment
• food-borne exposure
• seafood
• veterinary drugs
• pesticides

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the University of Pittsburgh’s Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (MSCI) Research Seed Grant Program in Sustainability. We appreciate the technical assistance of Tawana Simons and Alan Lightfield, USDA/ARS.

Author contributions statement

MB was responsible for writing the original draft and creating all tables and figures. MB and YS analysed samples and data. MB, YS and CN were responsible for interpreting results. CN provided grant support and feedback on all steps of this study. All authors reviewed the final submitted manuscript.

Disclaimer

Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

Data on seafood samples and list of target analytes are provided in the supporting information.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the University of Pittsburgh’s Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (MSCI) Research Seed Grant Program in Sustainability. We appreciate the technical assistance of Tawana Simons and Alan Lightfield, USDA/ARS.