Exposure to Metals through the Consumption of Fish and Seafood by the Population Living Near the Ebro River in Catalonia, Spain: Health Risks

ABSTRACT

The health risks due to metal exposure from consuming various fish and seafood species were assessed for the Catalan population living near the Ebro River (Spain). The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, nickel, and lead were determined in samples of mussel, clam, hake, sole, cuttlefish, sardine, and anchovy randomly acquired in various localities of the zone under evaluation. In general terms, metal concentrations were similar or lower than the levels recently reported in the literature. The current dietary intake of metals is analogous to that recently estimated for the non-exposed population of Catalonia. Metal exposure through fish and seafood consumption would only mean a slight increase of noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for arsenic, whereas the remaining elements showed risk values below the corresponding threshold levels.

Key Words:

• metals
• fish and seafood
• dietary intake
• health risks
• Ebro River (Spain)

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This study was financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Environment and the Water Catalan Agency (ACA), Generalitat de Catalunya, through the Mobitrof project.

Notes

* PTWI for inorganic As