Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury on Human Health in Relation to the Consumption of Farmed Sea Bass in Italy: A Meta-Analytical Approach

A risk assessment, related to the consumption of farmed sea bass, was carried out by meta-analysis, taking into account the concentration of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Hg) reported in the literature, the estimated weekly intake (EWI), the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), and the target hazard quotient (THQ). The concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Hg in farmed sea bass marketed in Sicily (Southern Italy) were also assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to have screening data for the comparison with literature results. In any case, the results obtained by meta-analysis and by screening were lower than the pre-established legal limits for each metal. The meta-analysis results showed very low levels of Cd (0.031 μg g–1 w.w.), Pb (0.110 μg g–1 w.w.), and Hg (0.023 μg g–1 w.w.). The EWI estimation confirmed safety limits for human health (0.004, 0.015, and 0.003 μg kg–1 for Cd, Pb, and Hg, respectively). Even the THQ demonstrated that farmed sea bass represent a secure food for humans (0.0006, 0.0005, and 0.0048 for Cd, Pb, and Hg, respectively). The comparison with our screening data showed a significant difference only for the Pb levels (p < 0.05). The results obtained were compared with the same indexes relative to other food types (meat, cereals, vegetables, etc.). The EWI and THQ calculated were always lower than same indexes relative to other food types considered.

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Heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L., 1758 complex, Osteichthyes: Salmonidae) from a mountain stream in Sardinia by ICP-OES

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment ◽

10.1007/s10661-021-09204-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 193 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Angioni Alberto ◽

Corrias Francesco ◽

Alessandro Atzei ◽

Sabatini Andrea ◽

Palmas Francesco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Brown Trout ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Salmo Trutta ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Mountain Stream ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Icp Oes

Abstract This paper reports heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L., 1758 complex) raised in freshwater and uncontaminated Sardinia system (Italy). Metals are widespread pollutants of aquatic systems, and their contamination can originate from anthropogenic activities such as industrial waste, agricultural and domestic environments, and geochemical release. Fish has a relevant position within the human diet; moreover, fishes can accumulate metals, making them a valuable tool as biomarkers for risk assessment studies. The concentration of 22 metals and metalloids after chemical digestion was assessed by inductively coupled plasma-optic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) in both the guts and the edible part (EP, muscle + skin) of brown trout. The results, expressed as μg g−1, showed different levels of accumulation in the EP and guts, following the series Cu > Zn > Ba > Al > Sr > Fe > Pb and Fe > Al > Hg > As > Mn > Cu > Ba > B > Zn > Pb, respectively. PCA analysis showed a fairly good correlation between the total lipid and SAFA content and Cd, Hg, and Pb accumulation in the gut. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment, expressed as THQ (target hazard quotient), showed values far below 1 for all metals in muscles, while high As and Hg contamination of the gut draws attention to possible health risks which should be discarded from the fish before consumption. TR (target cancer risk) values showed alarmingly high values for As and Cd when the fish were consumed entirely (gut + EP), while Pb levels were far below the safety levels.

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Evaluation and Health Risk Assessment of Five Toxic Metals Concentration in Soil, Water and Seasonal Vegetables and Fruits from Pakistan-Afghanistan Border, Torkham

Letters in Applied NanoBioScience ◽

10.33263/lianbs114.40894104 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 4089-4104

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Soil Water ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Vegetables And Fruits

Heavy metals are of serious concern for human health and food security. The risk to human health is directly related to soil and water pollution, which enter the food chain (vegetables and fruits). The current study was designed to investigate the heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd, and Zn) concentrations in five vegetables (Potato, Tomato, Turnip, Onion & Taro) and five fruits (Banana, Apple, Grapes, Pomegranate, and Guava) samples. We also estimated metal concentrations in water and soil samples. Torkham, a border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, was selected for the purpose. The analysis was performed on Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS, Perkin- Elmer 700). In vegetables, the highest Pb and Ni were recorded in Potatoes (0.34 ± 0.066) and Onions (0.278 ± 0.021). While in tomatoes, the highest concentrations of Cd (0.90± 0.115), Zn (0.726 ± 0.008), and Cr (1.761 ± 0.028) were noted. While, in fruits the highest levels of Pb (0.32± 0.03), Cd (0.61 ± 0.0119), Zn (0.357 ± 0.0047) and Ni (0.111 ± 0.0128), while in apples we noted the highest Cr levels (0.789 ± 0.0452). We compared the metal concentrations with permissible limits set by World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization (WHO/FAO). In the majority of the samples, the metal levels exceeded the permissible limits, while few were found within the safe limits. Based on heavy metals concentrations in soil, water, vegetables, and fruit samples. We calculated the health risk assessment, i.e., daily intake of metals (DIM) estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), carcinogenic risk (CR), health risk index (HRI) and contamination factor (CF). The EDI for Ni and Zn was in the safest region. While for Cd and Pb, the highest EDI was recorded in tomatoes (0.394) and guava (0.303), respectively. Similarly, Cr poses’ serious risk with the highest EDI in tomatoes (0.771), apples (0.563), turnip (0.393), guava (0.282), and banana (0.263). If HRI, THQ THQ, and TTHQ are less than one (< 1), it means the exposed populations are not at risk. In the present HRI, THQ and TTHQ were found to be less than one. The contamination factor for Ni and Zn was found to be considerable (CF<6), while Pb, Cd, and Cr presented the highest contamination degree (CF>6). This study suggested that some samples may impose a certain degree of potential health risk. It is required that proper action should be taken to avoid chronic exposure and consequent adverse health effects.

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Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals and Pesticides in Honey From Sicily (Italy)

Journal of Food Research ◽

10.5539/jfr.v3n2p107 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 107 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Clara Naccari ◽

Andrea Macaluso ◽

Giuseppe Giangrosso ◽

Francesco Naccari ◽

Vincenzo Ferrantelli

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Castanea Sativa ◽

Analytical Investigation ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Tolerable Weekly Intake ◽

Eucalyptus Globules

Honey, obtained by the honeybee (Apis mellifera) from nectar plants, with different composition according to floral sources, regional and climatic conditions, is widely consumed for its nutritional value and various properties. It could be considered a bio-indicator of environmental pollution to assess the presence of metals, naturally present in soil, and pesticides, widely used in agricultural practices. Actually no specific legislation on honey’s metals and pesticides content exists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of toxic metals (Pb and Cd) and insecticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethrins and pyrethroids) in carob, chestnut and eucalyptus honey samples from Sicily and carried out a risk assessment to dietary intake of these contaminants. The results obtained showed low residual levels of Pb (0.1709 ± 0.078 mg kg-1) and Cd (0.0153 ± 0.004 mg kg-1) while the concentrations of all pesticides analyzed were under the LOD (< 0.01 mg kg-1). To explain the source of metals contamination in honey, the analytical investigation was conducted also in carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.), chestnut (Castanea sativa) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules Labill.) powders, from which nectar honey is produced, confirming the presence of Pb and Cd concentrations with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) in all three types. The risk assessment, evaluated through the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and confirmed also by EFSA Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI), showed that metals daily intake through Sicilian honey consumption is not likely to cause deleterious effect for consumers.

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Fruits Contaminated with Lead, Cadmium and Nitrate are the Risks to Human Health: A seasonal study

Iranian Jornal of Toxicology ◽

10.32598/ijt.13.4.585.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 27-32

Author(s):

Reza Sharafati Chaleshtori ◽

◽

Zahra Jadi ◽

Keyword(s):

Cancer Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Optical Emission ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Inductively Coupled

Background: Consumers may be contaminated by various food intakes as one of the most important sources of organic and inorganic pollutants associated with agriculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and nitrate contaminations in watermelon and carrot samples and the associated risks to human health. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 108 samples of watermelon and carrot samples were collected randomly from the supermarkets in Kashan, Iran, from October 2017 to September 2018. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and spectrophotometry were used to analyze Pb, Cd and nitrate in the collected samples, respectively. Results: The results showed that the carrot samples had the most concentrations of Pb, Cd and nitrate than those for watermelon (p<0.001). All of the samples except for some watermelons and carrots had lower contaminants than the permissible standard limits. The results of the target hazard quotient (THQ) and total THQ for the compounds were within the safe range (<1) and were not detected at harmful levels. The excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) of Pb and Cd were in the safe and unsafe range, respectively. However, the total cancer risk was higher than the standard level and was; therefore, unsafe to the consumers. Conclusion: The study showed that the concentrations of the compounds in carrot and watermelon may potentially be hazardous to the health of Iranian consumers.

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Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Bioaccumulation In Fish and Mussels from Jakarta Bay

SQUALEN Bulletin of Marine and Fisheries Postharvest and Biotechnology ◽

10.15578/squalen.v12i2.286 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 75

Author(s):

Ajeng Kurniasari Putri ◽

Giri Rohmad Barokah ◽

Nuri Andarwulan

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Food Safety ◽

Human Health ◽

Safety Concern ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Ingestion Rate ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Target Hazard Quotient

Aquatic environment of Jakarta Bay have already been highlighted due to its heavy metals contamination which may lead into food safety concern of fisheries products derived from this region. This research aimed to investigate bioaccumulation level of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) in fish and mussels from Jakarta Bay, as a human risk assessment of seafood consumption. Samples of mussels and fish were taken from Penjaringan, Tarumanegara, Cilincing, and Tanjung Pasir district. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma -Mass Spectrometry technique. Results of the study revealed that metals bioaccumulation in fisheries products were varied, with As (Arsenic) as the highest metal contaminant (0.68 mg/kg, dry weight). Furthermore, estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), and safety limits prescribed by various agencies, showed that consumption of fisheries products from Jakarta Bay considered as relatively safe for human health in total of food ingestion rate of fish 57.34 g/day. These results are expected to serve as a baseline to construct preventive and palliative policies for food safety of fisheries products from Jakarta Bay.

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Contamination and Prevalence of Histamine in Canned Tuna from Iran: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Health Risk Assessment

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-18-301 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 81 (12) ◽

pp. 2019-2027 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

JAMAL RAHMANI ◽

ALI MIRI ◽

ANOUSHIRAVAN MOHSENI-BANDPEI ◽

YADOLAH FAKHRI ◽

GEIR BJØRKLUND ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Health Risk ◽

Health Risk Assessment ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Scientific Information ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Canned Tuna ◽

The Mean

ABSTRACT Histamine is one of the most important health issues associated with consumption of canned tuna because of possible allergic and anaphylactic reactions in consumers. Although the concentrations of histamine in tuna in Iran have been investigated in several studies, definitive conclusions are elusive. This study was undertaken as a systematic review and meta-analysis of the concentration and prevalence of histamine in Iranian canned tuna, and the related health risk was assessed. An extensive search of articles in the databases Scopus, PubMed, and Scientific Information Database resulted in 11 articles and a total of 693 samples for inclusion in this review. The minimum and maximum concentrations of histamine were determined as 8.59 ± 14.24 and 160.52 ± 87.59 mg kg−1, respectively. The mean concentration was calculated as 77.86 mg kg−1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 47.51 to 108.21 mg kg−1), which was lower than the 200 mg kg−1 recommended limit by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The mean prevalence of histamine was 9.19% (95% CI, 6.88 to 11.5%). The 95% value of the target hazard quotient for adult consumers was calculated as 0.10. In all studies performed in Iran, the concentration of histamine in canned tuna was lower than FDA standard. Health risk assessment indicated low histamine risk (target hazard quotient < 1) for adults in Iran from consumption of canned tuna. HIGHLIGHTS

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Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals from Smoked Corbicula fluminea Collected on Roadside Vendors at Kelantan, Malaysia

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2019/9596810 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Koh Han Dee ◽

Faizuan Abdullah ◽

Siti Nor Aini Md Nasir ◽

Suganthi Appalasamy ◽

Rozidaini Mohd Ghazi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Corbicula Fluminea ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Weekly Intake ◽

Flame Atomic Absorption ◽

Tolerable Weekly Intake

Corbicula fluminea serves as traditional food to the local people in Kelantan, Malaysia. Concerns regarding river contamination, smoking method, and associated adverse effects on public health had been increasing. Hence, this study aims to measure the level of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) and assess human health risk in C. fluminea consumption at Kelantan. Heavy-metal analysis was done using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while human health risk was assessed using provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI). The estimated weekly intake (EWI) for all metals was found within PTWI, while THQ for Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn was 0.12, 0.06, 0.04, 0.41, and 0.03, respectively. The HI was calculated at 0.61 which is less than 1, considered as the safe consumption level. Therefore, C. fluminea consumption in this study was found safe from the health risk of noncarcinogenic effect over a lifetime.

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Human Health Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Water from Cross River Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Asian Journal of Chemical Sciences ◽

10.9734/ajocs/2020/v7i319020 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Etuk, Bassey A. ◽

Udiong, Daniel S. ◽

Akpakpan, Aniekan E.

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Trace Metals ◽

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

River Estuary ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Cross River ◽

Cross River Estuary

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of some trace metals in water from Cross River estuary (CRE) and estimate the human health risk associated with water from the estuary via ingestion pathway and dermal contact. The trace metals in water were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the human health risk assessment of the trace metals was carried out using models stipulated by United States environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The range for the results in mg/l was as follows: Pb (0.193- 0.632), Cd (0.118 - 1.084), Ni (0.048 -0.632), Fe (0.056 - 0.921), Zn ( 0.063 - 0.242), Cu(0.072 - 0.146). All the investigated metals were above the WHO limit except zinc and copper. The target hazard quotient (THQ) via ingestion pathway for Pb, Cd and Ni were higher than unity. Also, the hazard indices for all the investigated metals in all the study sites were higher than unity. The target hazard quotient and Hazard index via dermal pathway were less than one for all the metal investigated, except Cd at Ebughu. Regular monitoring and minimization of anthropogenic activities resulting in elevated metal concentration is recommended.

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The Safety Assessment of Toxic Metals in Commonly Used Herbs, Spices, Tea, and Coffee in Poland

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115779 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5779

Author(s):

Grażyna Kowalska

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

World Health Organisation ◽

World Health ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Plant Materials

The presented study was aimed at the determination of the level of contamination with heavy metals (Cd, Pb, As, and Hg) in 240 samples of plant materials, i.e., herbal raw materials, spices, tea, and coffee. Moreover, a probabilistic risk assessment (noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) was estimated by models including target hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk (CR). The samples were subjected to microwave mineralisation with the use of HNO3 (65%), while the determination of the content of the elements was performed with the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP–MS) and a mercury analyser. The element which was characterised by the highest level of accumulation in the analysed samples was lead (from 0.010 to 5.680 mg/kg). Among the heavy metals under analysis, the lowest concentration was noted in the case of mercury (from 0.005 to 0.030 mg/kg). A notably higher level of contamination with heavy metals was noted in the analysed samples of herbs and spices (0.005–5.680 mg/kg), compared to samples of tea and coffee (0.005–0.791 mg/kg). According to the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO) concerning the limits of contamination of samples of herbal raw materials with heavy metals, lead levels exceeding the limits were only noted in 24 samples of herbs (18%). In all of the analysed samples of spices, tea, and coffee, no instances of exceeded limits were noted for any of the analysed heavy metals. The values of TTHQmax (in relation to the consumption of the analysed products) were as follows: up to 4.23 × 10−2 for spices, up to 2.51 × 10−1 for herbs, up to 4.03 × 10−2 for China tea, and up to 1.25 × 10−1 for roasted coffee beans. As the value of THQ ≤1, there is no probability of the appearance of undesirable effects related to the consumption of the analysed group of raw materials and products of plant origin. The CR value for As (max. value) was 1.29 × 10−5, which is lower than the maximum acceptable level of 1 × 10−4 suggested by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

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Element contents and health risk assessment in wild edible mushrooms of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/423/2021-pse ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mirsada Salihovic ◽

Mirha Pazalja ◽

Aida Šapčanin ◽

Biljana P. Dojčinović ◽

Selma Špirtović-Halilović

Keyword(s):

Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Risk Index ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Edible Mushrooms ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Wild Edible Mushrooms ◽

Potential Health

The content of macro- and microelements in dry samples of mushrooms of the species Macrolepiota procera, Boletus edulis and Cantharellus cibarius, collected at different areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was determined using the ICP-OES method (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). Of the macroelements, K is the most represented, followed by S, P, Mg, and the least represented Ca and Na. Zn is the most represented of the essential microelements, followed by Fe, Se, Cu, Mn and Co. Al is the most abundant of the other trace elements followed by Ni and Cr. Of the toxic metals, the most represented is Cd, followed by Pb and As. There are differences in the concentration of micro- and macroelements in the mushrooms analysed, depending on the area from which they were collected because natural geology and geochemistry influence the content of macro- and microelements in wild edible mushrooms. The results show that the analysed mushrooms can be considered a good source of essential elements. The study also assessed potential health risks of heavy metals and the target hazard quotient (THQ) for As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr in the analysed mushrooms was lower than the safe level. The carcinogenic risk index revealed that Cd and Ni are the most prevalent pollutants in the mushrooms studied.

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