Contents and risk assessment of heavy metals in marine invertebrates from Korean coastal fish markets.
The concentrations of the heavy metals cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium, silver, nickel, copper, and zinc in the edible portions of 105 marine invertebrates representing 16 mollusk and crustacean species were accurately determined to evaluate their hazard for human consumption. The samples were collected in 2011 from major fish markets on the coast of Korea and analyzed for Hg using a direct Hg analyzer and for other metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Estimated dietary exposure (EDE) was determined, and a risk assessment was made of the heavy metals to provide information concerning consumer safety. The Cd concentrations, which were the highest for the three hazardous metals (Cd, Hg, and Pb), were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the bivalves and crabs than in the gastropods and cephalopods. However, the concentrations of these metals in all samples were within the regulatory limits set by Korea and other countries. The EDE was compared with the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) adopted by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EDE of Cd, Hg, and Pb for each class of marine invertebrate were 0.07 to 2.64, 0.01 to 0.43, and 0.001 to 0.16% of the PTDI, respectively. The total EDE of Cd, Hg, and Pb for marine invertebrates accounted for 4.03, 0.96, and 0.21%, respectively, of the PTDI. The EDE of other metals in each class of marine invertebrate was less than 2% of the PTDI. The hazard index is a reasonable parameter for assessing the risk of heavy metal consumption associated with contaminated food. In the present study, the hazard index for all of the species was less than 1.0, which indicates that the intake of heavy metals from consumption of these marine invertebrates does not represent an appreciable hazard to humans.
Southeast Sea Fisheries Research Institute, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 361 Youngun-ri, Sanyang-up, Tongyoung 650-943, Korea.
Jong Soo
JS
Mok
Food Safety Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1 Sirang-ri, Gijang-up, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Korea.
Ji Young
JY
Kwon
Food Safety Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1 Sirang-ri, Gijang-up, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Korea.
Kwang Tae
KT
Son
Food Safety Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1 Sirang-ri, Gijang-up, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Korea.
Woo Seok
WS
Choi
Food Safety Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1 Sirang-ri, Gijang-up, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Korea.
Sung Rim
SR
Kang
Food Safety Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1 Sirang-ri, Gijang-up, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Korea.
Na Young
NY
Ha
Food Safety Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1 Sirang-ri, Gijang-up, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Korea.
Mi Ra
MR
Jo
Food Safety Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1 Sirang-ri, Gijang-up, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Korea. kimjihoe@korea.kr.
Ji Hoe
JH
Kim
D000818:Animals; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000592:standards; D003445:Crustacea / Q000737:chemistry; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D008974:Mollusca / Q000737:chemistry; D056910:Republic of Korea; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012758:Shellfish / Q000032:analysis* / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards
D019216:Metals, Heavy