title: Mercury content in tinned molluscs (mussel, cockle, variegated scallop, and razor shell) normally consumed in Spain, 2005.
abstract: Concentrations of mercury were determined for tinned molluscs (Mollusca, Bivalvia), i.e., mussels (Mytilus spp.), cockles (Cerastoderma edule), variegated scallops (Chlamys varia), and razor shells (Ensis spp.), consumed in Spain. A total of 220 samples were analyzed: 120 mussels, 40 cockles, 24 variegated scallops, and 36 razor shells. Samples were obtained weekly from markets in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands) over a period of 12 months. All observed concentrations of mercury were below the maximum permitted for human consumption (0.5 mg/kg) as defined by European Community Decision 93/ 351/CE. Mercury concentrations were 27.28 +/- 12.43 microg/kg for mussels, 66.59 +/- 23.53 microg/kg for cockles, 33.68 +/- 15.76 microg/kg for variegated scallops, and 21.26 +/- 12.24 microg/kg for razor shells. To evaluate the importance of mercury as a food contaminant, the percentage ingested daily, the weight of mercury in the diet, and the calculated percentage of this metal in the diet contributed by reference species were estimated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology (Marine Sciences), Faculty of Biology, University of La Laguna, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. ajguti@ull.es
authors.forename: Angel José
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lozano
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ignacio Reguera
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hardisson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D008974:Mollusca / Q000737:chemistry*; D012758:Shellfish / Q000032:analysis*; D013030:Spain; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D008628:Mercury