Comparison of the nutritional and toxicological reference values of trace elements in edible marine fish species consumed by the population in Rio De Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract

The present study estimated the human daily and weekly intake of inorganic elements due to consumption of fish in Rio de Janeiro state and the associated potential health risks posed by some toxic elements. All samples analyzed had values of Cd and Pb below the Maximum Tolerable Limits of 3.0 mg kg−1 for Pb and 1.0 mg kg−1 for Cd; only Mugil cephalus, Cynoscion leiarchus and Caranx crysos had As concentrations below 1 mg kg−1, maximum limit established by Brazilian legislation. The higher values of Cd and Pb correspond to 0.22% of PTWI and the higher value of As corresponds to 8.6% of PTWI. None of the studied species showed values higher than PTWI. The higher values of Cu EDI found in Pomatomus numida correspond to 33.3% of RDA; Fe in Salmo salar and Genypterus brasiliensis corresponds to 4.3% of EDI; Mn in Sardinella brasiliensis corresponds to 7.4% of EDI; Zn in S. salar corresponds to 13.2% of EDI and Se in S. salar corresponds to 20.6% of EDI. Some species can be a good source of inorganic elements. For risk assessment, it is important to assess specific eating habits of each region to avoid underestimating the data.

Keywords

• Inorganic elements
• Health risk assessment
• Fish
• Seafood safety
• Chemical contaminants
• Essential elements