Dietary mercury exposure through fish consumption in a coastal community in northwestern Mexico: a comparison of toxicokinetic models

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic heavy metal that presents a notable and worldwide threat to human health and the environment. The most direct method to evaluate the potential effects on human health due to Hg exposure is to monitor biological samples. When biological samples are limited, predictive models are valuable tools to estimate levels of Hg exposure. In this study, fish consumption data was used to compare two toxicokinetic models to predict Hg exposure in a coastal population in northwestern Mexico. To calculate daily Hg intake, 15 children, 42 women, and 18 men were surveyed regarding their fish consumption habits. The data were analyzed using deterministic and probabilistic models, and the results were validated by comparing them with the Hg levels in their hair. Fish consumption varied from 46 to 219 g·day-1. Notably, 6.7% of participants exhibited Hg levels that exceeded the oral reference dose (RfD) of 0.1 μg·kg-1 bw·day-1 and were thus considered to be at risk of adverse health effects. The average Hg concentration in hair among the sampled groups ranged from 1.59 to 4.42 μg·g-1 (with two outlier values of 16.96 and 54.07 μg·g-1). The Hg levels in 86.85% of the population surpassed the reference value of 1 μg·g-1. The predictions generated by the deterministic and probabilistic models based on the ingestion rate (CRj) closely mirrored the actual Hg levels in hair. We highlight the importance of mathematical models to predict the body burden of Hg, particularly when sampling resources are limited.

The global issue of metal contamination in sharks, rays and skates and associated human health risks

Elasmobranchs, including sharks, rays, and skates, are a global protein source but face threats from overfishing and population declines. Despite their lower market value, increased consumption raises sustainability and public health concerns. Commonly landed species like the Blue Shark, Shortfin Mako, and Spiny Dogfish are particularly vulnerable to bioaccumulation of metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As), posing health risks to consumers. Although metal and metalloid contamination levels in elasmobranchs are frequently reported, studies on specific human health risks remain limited. Sensitive populations, including pregnant women, fetuses, infants, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, face elevated risks from consuming contaminated seafood. Vulnerable communities, especially coastal populations and lower-income groups, encounter further exposure risks due to limited access to safer food alternatives and information. This review explores metal and metalloid contamination in commonly consumed elasmobranch species, associated health risks, and impacts on vulnerable groups, emphasizing the need for informed consumption and the role of contamination awareness in conservation efforts. Arsenic was the most commonly detected element in elasmobranch meat, followed by Se, Hg, Pb, and Cd, with Pb and Se consistently reported at safe levels. Arsenic levels exceeded safety thresholds in most studies, posing health risks, while THQ evaluations indicated significant risks, especially in sharks, where values often surpassed safe thresholds. For C. falciformis, THQ ranged from 5.7 in North America to 38 in Asia, making the consumption of this species inadvisable. Elevated HQ values suggest that cumulative risks likely exceed safe limits, highlighting the need for cautious consumption and further risk assessments.

DNA barcoding continues to identify endangered species of shark sold as food in a globally significant shark fin trade hub

Shark fins are a delicacy consumed throughout Southeast Asia. The life history characteristics of sharks and the challenges associated with regulating fisheries and the fin trade make sharks particularly susceptible to overfishing. Here, we used DNA barcoding techniques to investigate the composition of the shark fin trade in Singapore, a globally significant trade hub. We collected 505 shark fin samples from 25 different local seafood and Traditional Chinese Medicine shops. From this, we identified 27 species of shark, three species are listed as Critically Endangered, four as Endangered and ten as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Six species are listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning that trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. All dried fins collected in this study were sold under the generic term "shark fin"; this vague labelling prevents accurate monitoring of the species involved in the trade, the effective implementation of policy and conservation strategy, and could unwittingly expose consumers to unsafe concentrations of toxic metals. The top five most frequently encountered species in this study are Rhizoprionodon acutus, Carcharhinus falciformis, Galeorhinus galeus, Sphyrna lewini and Sphyrna zygaena. Accurate labelling that indicates the species of shark that a fin came from, along with details of where it was caught, allows consumers to make an informed choice on the products they are consuming. Doing this could facilitate the avoidance of species that are endangered, and similarly the consumer can choose not to purchase species that are documented to contain elevated concentrations of toxic metals.

Toxic Effects of Cadmium on Fish

Large amounts of enriched cadmium (Cd) in the environment seriously threatens the healthy and sustainable development of the aquaculture industry and greatly restricts the development of the food processing industry. Studying the distribution and toxic effects of Cd in fish, as well as the possible toxic effects of Cd on the human body, is very significant. A large number of studies have shown that the accumulation and distribution of Cd in fish are biologically specific, cause tissue differences, and seriously damage the integrity of tissue structure and function, the antioxidant defense system, the reproductive regulation system, and the immune system. The physiological, biochemical, enzyme, molecular, and gene expression levels change with different concentrations and times of Cd exposure, and these changes are closely related to the target sites of Cd action and tissues in fish. Therefore, the toxic effects of Cd on fish occur with multiple tissues, systems, and levels.

Estimation of metal concentrations in marine biota and associated health risk assessment for inhabitants of a coastal region in Northwestern Mexico

Marine ecosystems are subject to contamination by metals and metalloids and other elements and compounds that are emitted due to various human activities. These substances subsequently induce changes in marine biota after entering the marine environment. Marine organisms are frequently consumed worldwide because they constitute relatively cheap and accessible food items of high nutrient quality. The aim of this study was to estimate metal accumulation in frequently consumed marine species and to evaluate the associated health risks for particular population groups in a coastal region of northwestern Mexico. The marine species were consumed in different quantities between spring (from 0.29 kg year^-1 for white clam, to 38.40 kg year^-1 for blue crab) and autumn (from 0.34 kg year^-1 for white clam, to 15.02 kg year^-1 for leopard grouper). The general distribution of metal concentrations in the marine species (n = 13 in each season) evaluated in this study followed the trend of Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Cr with the highest metal concentrations detected during autumn. Although many metal concentrations were above the international standards of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) values for the women in this study indicated that their health was not at risk due to the consumption of either fish or seafood. In contrast, the HQ and HI values determined for groups of men and children indicated that they are at risk due to the frequent consumption of most species evaluated in this study.

Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cans

This work aimed to examine the influence of the storage period on the content of toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in five types of canned meat products regularly used in the Serbian Armed Forces. Cans of beef goulash (BG), pork ragout (PR), spam (SP), liver pate (LP), and meatballs in tomato sauce (MB), produced according to military standards and stored under regular conditions, were analyzed. Meat products were packed in tin cans made according to special requirements in terms of tin and varnish application and stored for up to 6 years. The content of toxic elements varied depending on the analyzed product. The highest average content of arsenic was in BG (10.00 μg/kg), cadmium in LP (35.91 μg/kg), and mercury and lead in PR (15.04 and 8.00 μg/kg, respectively). The average concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in all types of canned meat products were significantly lower than the maximum permitted levels in food currently in force by local and EU legislation. The storage period did not significantly affect the level of toxic elements, although higher concentrations were found in samples stored for more than 2 years. Examination of raw materials, spices, and additives showed that the highest Cd and Pb concentrations, which can affect the total level of these elements in meat products, were found in red ground pepper (Cd above 150 μg/kg) and dish supplement (Pb of 250 μg/kg). The assessment of the weekly intake of toxic elements through canned meat showed that it is significantly lower than the values that affect adversely to human health, as determined by the FAO/WHO and EFSA. However, as there is a constant possibility of contamination of raw materials and food additives, primarily due to environmental pollution, it is recommended to monitor the content of heavy metals in food permanently and assess their risk to human health.

Bioremediation effect of pomegranate peel on subchronic mercury immunotoxicity on African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

The primary aim of the present study is to evaluate the highest concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) in Nile catfish (Clarias gariepinus, C. gariepinus) and water samples, as well as to investigate the efficiency of pomegranate peels (PPs) (supplemented either through water or diet) in enhancing fish immunity and counteracting the toxicity of high concentrations of HMs. Water and C. gariepinus samples were collected from two private fish farms in Al Sharkia Governorate. Mercury (Hg) showed the highest concentration (0.13 ppm). The adsorption capacity of PP was evaluated by testing different concentrations, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, and 1.5 g L^-1, wherein 1.5 g L^-1 revealed the highest Hg adsorption efficiency. The results indicated that Hg concentration was decreased with increased PP concentration until 72 h. In a trial that lasted for 60 days, 240 C. gariepinus (75.12 ± 3.12 g) were randomly divided into eight equal groups with three replicates per group. The first group (CT) served as the negative control (fish fed on a basal diet). The second group (PPW) was fed on a basal diet and supplemented with 0.3 g L^-1 of PP via water. The third (PPD1) and fourth (PPD2) groups received basal diets enriched with 1 and 2 g PP powder/kg diet. respectively. The fifth group (Hg) served as the positive control that was fed on a basal diet and exposed to 0.13 ppm of Hg. The sixth (Hg + PPW), seventh (Hg + PPD1), and eighth (Hg + PPD2) groups were exposed to 0.13 ppm of Hg and received the same type of treatment as in second, third, and fourth groups. Hg exposure significantly elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine levels, as well as oxidative stress biomarkers, including reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Pomegranate supplementation through diet elevated the levels of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), lysozyme, and anti-protease activity. Moreover, PP supplementation through water revealed minimum urea and creatinine levels, and the highest nitric oxide level. Moreover, Hg residue level in fish muscles noticeably decreased in the PP-treated groups. These results demonstrated the efficiency of PP supplementation (either through water or diet) in enhancing fish immunity and counteracting subchronic Hg toxicity.

Risk of Mercury Ingestion from Canned Fish in Poland

In this study, total mercury content was determined in 84 canned fish corresponding to commonly consumed brands (over 14 different producers), which were purchased from local markets in Poland in the years 2019–2020. For comparison purposes, samples of both the matrix in which the fish were kept along with the seafood samples were measured. The analyses were carried out using the cold vapor AAS technique. Statistical analyses were employed to identify significant differences in mercury content in relation to the selected criteria such as fish species, type of fish (predatory, non-predatory) and the producer brand. The obtained results were compared against domestic and international standards as well as with the literature data in order to evaluate the safety of the canned fish consumption. The study revealed that none of canned fish exceeded the acceptable levels set by the FAO/WHO. The highest amount of Hg was recorded for canned tuna (maximum 351.30 µg/kg, mean 74.38 µg/kg). Further, the estimated tolerable dose of weekly mercury intake suggests that the consumption of over 1.8 cans of fish with the highest mean mercury content should not pose a risk to consumers in Poland according to international standards. Among the ten highest mean results for mercury, five of them belonged to canned tuna (Bonito species) kept in different matrices. These consisted of seven domestic and three imported brands of fish products, which is a worrying message for a local community. Mercury content in predatory fish differed significantly from the results gathered for non-predatory fish and the total amount of mercury in studied canned fish corresponded to their status in the aquatic food chain. Moreover, significant differences were stated between various fish species and fishing areas. Fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean (cod and herring) presented higher mercury content than the ones from closed seas.

Determination of the Level of Selected Elements in Canned Meat and Fish and Risk Assessment for Consumer Health

The objective of the study was to determine the content of cobalt, silver, tin, antimony, lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, vanadium, chromium, manganese, nickel, and uranium in canned meat and canned fish by means of ICP-MS apparatus and mercury analyzer. Also, probabilistic risk assessment (non carcinogenic) was estimated by models including target hazard quotient (THQ). It was found that Mn was the element with the highest concentration in the analyzed products, with average concentration of 0.216 mg·kg-1 in canned meat and 1.196 mg·kg-1 in canned fish. The average contents of other elements were as follows (respectively, for canned meat and fish): Co 0.018 and 0.028 mg·kg-1, Ag 0.0386 and 0.0053 mg·kg-1, Sn 0.059 and 0.200 mg·kg-1, Sb 0.0268 and 0.0377 mg·kg-1, Pb 0.202 and 0.068 mg·kg-1, Hg 0.00003 and 0.02676 mg·kg-1, Cd 0.00496 and 0.0202 mg·kg-1, As 0.002 and 0.857 mg·kg-1, V 0.0003 and 0.095 mg·kg-1, Cr 0.244 and 0.590 mg·kg-1, Mn 0.216 and 1.196 mg·kg-1, Ni 0.004 and 0.088 mg·kg-1, and U < LOQ and 0.047 mg·kg-1. The concentration of As was the highest among other toxic elements in canned fish; therefore, the THQ value of this element revealed the highest level amounting up to 0.77576 (THQmax).