title: Estimation of risk assessment of some heavy metals intake through black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) consumption in Portugal.
abstract: The intake of Cd, methyl-Hg, and Pb through consumption of black scabbardfish (BSF) (Aphanopus carbo) in Portugal as well as the associated probability of exceeding the respective provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs) was estimated. For this purpose, the contamination levels of heavy metals in this fish species were combined with constructed consumption scenarios or with a hypothesized consumption distribution. Whereas Cd and Pb posed no serious risk, the consumption of at least one portion of BSF per month as well as the hypothetical study in the Portuguese population produced nonnegligible probabilities of surpassing the PTWI for Me-Hg. Risk assessment for Portuguese consumers revealed a higher risk regarding Me-Hg, 1.19% and 1.81% with the plug-in (PI) and the tail estimation (TE) estimators, respectively. On the other hand, the risk for Cd and Pb was less than 1 in 100,000. TE was more realistic and accurate for Cd and Pb. Concerning Me-Hg, TE and PI estimators produced similar results. Furthermore, the limitations of a deterministic approach were shown.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Upgrading of Fishery and Aquaculture Products (U-VPPA), Portuguese Institute of Sea and Fisheries Research (IPIMAR), National Institute of Biological Resources (INRB), Avenida de Brasília 1449-006 Lisbon, Portugal. ccardoso@ipimar.pt
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Inês
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Farias
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Leonel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gordo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity*; D011174:Portugal; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy