The concentration of potentially hazardous elements (PHEs) in the muscle of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) and associated health risk

Antibiotic residues and heavy metals in blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) fished in the Mediterranean Sea: a preliminary study

In recent decades, the Mediterranean Sea has experienced the invasion of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), which threatens the marine ecosystem and economic activities related to fishing and aquaculture because of its aggressive behavior. Control strategies are developing to reduce its population. In Italy, a partial solution to the problem is its promotion as a food product. However, to ensure consumer safety, promoting consumption must be accompanied by a careful risk analysis. This study aims to assess heavy metals and antibiotic residues in the appendage muscle of 18 blue crab samples from various Mediterranean sites, selected by sex and size. Heavy metals were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and antibiotics were analyzed with the liquid chromatography/triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry multiresidues/multiclass method. In all samples, lead was never detected, while cadmium and mercury concentrations never exceeded the limit of 0.5 mg/kg set by Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Only one sample tested positive for the occurrence of 12 antibiotic residues. The results showed that the blue crab is a species commonly characterized by the accumulation of heavy metals, according to other studies. Therefore, monitoring the concentration of metals in these species is important for food safety and ecosystem management. Data on 12 antibiotic residues detected in a single crab sample require further investigation through extensive sampling in terms of both number and sites, involving a wider area along the Mediterranean Sea coast, to allow for proper risk characterization.

Health risks of potentially toxic elements in Cyprinus carpio in the karst plateau lake, China

BACKGROUND

Elevated potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in aquatic products could threaten the health of ordinary consumers. Levels of chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in Cyprinus carpio in karst plateau freshwater Lake, Caohai Lake, China were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and evaluated using a risk method with Monte Carlo simulation.

RESULT

Levels of Cr, As, Pb, and Hg in muscle tissue were substantially lower than those in viscera. The maximum concentration of muscle-bound Cr, As, Pb, and Hg were less than the standard references set by Chinese Food Codex (GB 2762-2022). The levels of Cr, As, Pb, and Hg in muscle tissue were independent of fish weight and length. The hazard index of all investigated elements in muscle tissue were less than one for adults and children, whereas the target hazard quotients of muscle-bound PTEs for children were higher than those for adults. Results indicated that exposure duration was the largest contributor to the hazard quotient of Cr, As, and Hg, whereas the concentration of Pb in muscle was the most sensitive factor affecting the variation in hazard quotient of Pb.

CONCLUSION

There is no risk related to the normal intake of muscle-bound Cr, Pb, As and Hg with the consumption of Cyprinus carpio. A better definition of the probability distribution for exposure duration and PTEs concentration could result in a more accurate hazard quotient. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Concentration of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Rapid Coffee Products in Bandar Abbas, Iran: Probabilistic Non-Carcinogenic and Carcinogenic Risk Assessment

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. However, coffee plants are often exposed to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) pollution. The main aims of current study were to detect the PTEs in instant coffee and health risk assessment of consumers in Bandar Abbas city. To achieve this, 40 samples of instant coffee were randomly collected from various points in the city in 2023 and PTEs concentrations were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were calculated using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method. The concentrations of Fe and Cu were higher than other PTEs, equaling 404.41 mg/kg and 0.0046 mg/kg, respectively. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment revealed that THQ (Fe > Pb > As > Cd > Ni > Cu) and TTHQ levels were less than 1 based on the 95% percentile in adults and children, indicating there is no possibility of a non-carcinogenic risk associated with instant coffee. The carcinogenic risk due to inorganic As in instant coffee was acceptable (2.63E-5 and 1.27E-5 based on the 95% percentile for adults and children, respectively), therefore PTEs in instant coffee do not endanger the health of consumers.

The concentration of Lithium in water resources: A systematic review, meta-analysis and health risk assessment

The presence of trace elements such as lithium (Li) in water resources in the long term can endanger consumers' health. Several studies have been conducted on Li concentration in water sources; hence, this study attempted to retrieve studies using a systematic search. The search was conducted in Web of Sciences, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases from 1 January 2010 to 15 January 2023. Li concentration was meta-analyzed based on the type of water resources and countries subgroups in the random effects model (REM) statistical analysis. In addition, health risk assessment in different age groups was calculated using the target hazard quotient (THQ). This study included 76 papers with 157 data reports in our meta-analysis. The overall pooled concentration of Li was 5.374 (95 % CI: 5.261-5.487 μg/L). The pooled concentration of Li in groundwater (40.407 μg/L) was 14.53 times surface water (2.785 μg/L). The highest water Li content was attributed to Mexico (2,209.05 μg/L), Bolivia (1,444.05 μg/L), Iraq (1,350 μg/L), and Argentina (516.39 μg/L). At the same time, the lowest water Li content was associated with Morocco (1.20 μg/L), Spain (0.46 μg/L), and India (0.13 μg/L). THQ due to Li in water resources in consumers of Iraq, Mexico, South Africa, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Portugal, Malawi, South Korea, Nepal, South Korea, Argentina, and the USA was higher than 1 value. Therefore, continuous monitoring of Li concentration in water sources and reducing Li concentration, especially in groundwater water, using new water treatment processes in these countries are recommended.

Concentration of potential toxic elements in canned tuna fish: systematic review and health risk assessment

The health risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk) were calculated in both adults and children, using target hazard quotient (THQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR). The concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Ni were higher than the standard limits but they did not pose any non-carcinogenic health risks in adult and children's consumers (THQ <1). Meanwhile, the risk assessment of iAs indicates THQ > 1 for children in Egypt. Moreover, the THQ value due to Me Hg for adult in Tunisia and for children in Tunisia, Malta, Portugal, Latvia, Cambogia, Peru, South Korea, Romania, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Egypt was higher than 1 value. In addition, the calculated CR values of iAs for the adults and children were within the threshold risk of developing cancer (Between 1.00E-4 to 1.00E-6). Therefore, it is recommended to continuously monitor the concentration of PTEs in canned tuna.

When Nature Requires a Resource to Be Used-The Case of Callinectes sapidus: Distribution, Aggregation Patterns, and Spatial Structure in Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and Adjacent Waters

The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus, which is native to the western Atlantic coast and listed among the 100 most invasive alien species in the Mediterranean Sea, is attracting a great deal of interest because of its rapid colonisation of new areas, the significant increase in its population, and the impacts it may have on ecosystems and ecosystem services. Outside its natural distribution range, the species was first found on European Atlantic coasts in the early 1900s and was introduced into the Mediterranean Sea a few decades later, probably through ballast water. Currently, it is found in almost the entire Mediterranean Basin and is also expanding into the Black Sea and along the north African and Iberian Atlantic coasts. Based on a systematic review of C. sapidus occurrences, this study describes its distribution, aggregation patterns, and spatial structure in Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and adjacent waters through a series of ecological indicators elaborated using GIS spatial-temporal statistics. The main results highlight that the species is expanding in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, while in northern Europe, the population remains confined in some areas. Furthermore, the main species detection methods are analysed, finding that traps and nets are the most frequently used methods, and management suggestions are provided.

The concentration of Potentially Toxic elements (PTEs) in the muscle of crabs: a global systematic review, meta-analysis, and health risk assessment

The concentration of PTEs in the muscle of crabs, was meta-analyzed using a random-effects model based on countries' subgroups. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks related to the ingestion of PTEs via the consumption of crab fish were estimated. The meta-analysis included one hundred and eight papers with 109 data reports. The rank order of PTEs based on pooled (mean) concentration in the muscle of crabs was Ni (4.490 mg/kg-ww) > Pb (1.891 mg/kg-ww) >As (1.601 mg/kg-ww) > Cd (1.101 mg/kg-ww). The results showed that adults and children consumers in many countries are at risk of non-carcinogenicity due to ingestion of Ni, Pb, As, and Cd and carcinogenicity risk due to As. Therefore, the bioaccumulation of PTEs in the muscle of crabs can be considered a global health risk. Hence, to decrease the health risk of PTEs in the muscle of crabs, continuous monitoring and reducing the emission of PTEs in aquatic environments are recommended.

Concentration and non-dietary human health risk assessment of pesticide residues in soil of farms in Golestan province, Iran

Detection of pesticide residues in soil samples was conducted using UHPLC-MS/MS. Non-dietary health risk assessment was conducted using calculate chronic daily intake (CDI) from ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact pathways and following non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks in the adults and adolescent. The rank order of pesticide in soil based on their concentration was malathion (0.082 mg kg-1)> cyproconazole (0.019 mg kg-1)> propargite (0.018 mg kg-1)> butachlor (0.016 mg kg-1) > chlorpyrifos (0.0067 mg kg-1)> diazinon (0.0014 mg kg-1)> imidacloprid (0.0007 mg kg-1). Hazard index (HI) values obtained of exposure to pesticides in soil in adults and adolescent were 0.0012 and 0.0035, respectively. Hence, exposed population are at the acceptable range of non-carcinogenic risk (HI < 1). Cancer risk (CR) values due to propargite in soil via ingestion pathway in adults and adolescent were 2.03E-09 and 2.08E-09, respectively; therefore, carcinogenic risk due to the exposure to pesticide contaminated soil was safe range (CR < 1E-06).

Probabilistic health risk assessment of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and As) in Cocoa powder (Theobroma cacao) in Tehran, Iran market

The concentrations of toxic elements were analyzed by using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). Moreover, the human health risk was estimated by Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) and Cancer Risk (CR) in Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) technique. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of Cd (0.08 ± 0.08), Pb (0.23 ± 0.46), and As (0.06 ± 0.04), were in a good compliance with ISO (Iranian standard organization). TTHQ for adults and children was equal to 0.009 and 0.042, respectively and also mean CR in adults and children consumers was equal to 9.73E-7 and 9.08E-7, respectively. Consequently, the concentration of toxic elements (Cd, Pb, and As) in cocoa powder did not pose any safety concerns. Moreover, probabilistic health risk assessment revealed that both adults and children were not at considerable non-carcinogenic (THQ and/or TTHQ ≤ 1) and carcinogenic risk (CR ≤ 1E-6). Even though, seeking for mitigating solutions and applying them to suppress the dangers of food containing toxic elements is a critical subject.

Heavy metals in edible red soil of the rainbow island in the Persian gulf: Concentration and health risk assessment

Red soil of Hormuz Island has become a tourist attraction and it has various industrial applications. Despite the uncertainty of the health effects, geophagy is one of the common ways of people exposure to the red soil. This soil is widely used as a local spice and plays an important role in the food culture of the region. This study aimed to quantify the level of selected heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Ag, Cd, Hg) in the red soil. The content of the metals was measured by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry). Moreover, risk assessment via heavy metals was carried out by computing the values of Total Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI). The results of this study showed that Fe was the most abundant metal among all analyzed metals and the health risk associated with Fe was individually higher than other measured metals. Altough the value for total heavy metals toxicity assessment was found lower than 1 , due to increasing use of red soil as a spice among Hormuz island natives, establishing special industries in order to reducing the amount of heavy metals content in red soil is recommended.

Comparative assessment of human health risk associated with heavy metals bioaccumulation in fish species (Barbus grypus and Tenualosa ilisha) from the Karoon River, Iran: Elucidating the role of habitat and feeding habits

Concentrations of Cd, Ni, and Pb were measured in the liver and muscle tissues of benthic omnivorous (Barbus grypus) and pelagic herbivorous (Tenualosa ilisha) fish collected from two sampling sites along the Karoon River, Khuzestan Province, southwest of Iran. Potential human health risks were evaluated by measuring the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TR). The results highlight the important role of habitat and feeding habits in the uptake of HMs by the two species. The EDI for all HMs exceeded the oral reference doses (RfDo) provided by the USEPA, indicating the two fish species are not entirely safe for human consumption. The THQ values were within the permissible limit (< 1), while HI values (> 1) showed there was non-carcinogenic risk for consumers. The TR values for Pb were within the acceptable range (1.00E-06-1.00E-04) for both species.

The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in apple fruit: a global systematic review, meta-analysis, and health risk assessment

The presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in crops can directly/indirectly affect consumers' health. The contamination of apple as one of the most consumed fruits with PTEs such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and nickel (Ni) leads to carcinogenic risk (CR) and non-carcinogenic risk (n-CR). In this regard, a systematic review, meta-analysis, and health risk assessment regarding the concentration of the PTEs in apples was conducted using international databases such as Scopus and PubMed. According to the results, the rank order of PTEs in apple fruits was Pb (427.45 µg/kg-wet weight) > Ni (228.74 µg/kg-wet weight) > Cr (212.43 µg/kg-wet weight) > As (123.93 µg/kg-wet weight) > Cd (15.28 µg/kg-wet weight). n-CR was higher than 1 for the USA, Serbia for adults, and Poland for children. CR for adults in Serbia, Spain, Greece, China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and children in Serbia, Spain, Greece, China, and Bangladesh were not acceptable (CR > 1.00E - 06 value). In this regard, the pooled PTEs of apples can cause CR and n-CR issues. Therefore, constant monitoring and reduction of pesticide application are strongly recommended for controlling PTEs in apple fruits.