Mercury concentrations in domestic and imported canned bivalves and cephalopods sold in northwestern Mexico

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is mainly incorporated into humans through the consumption of contaminated foods. Mercury was measured and the methyl-Hg (MeHg) concentration was estimated in canned mollusks sold in northwestern Mexico to assess the health risk to consumers. Five mollusk types were considered: oysters, clams, octopuses, mussels, and squids. The Hg concentration of mussels was significantly (P squids = clams > oysters > mussels. The Hg and MeHg concentrations in the mollusks evaluated in this study were below the maximum permissible limits for human consumption in Mexico.

Keywords

• methyl-Hg
• canned mollusks
• eastern Pacific Ocean
• health risk
• mercury