Residual Levels of Mercury, Cadmium, Lead and Arsenic in Some Commercially Key Species from Italian Coasts (Adriatic Sea): Focus on Human Health

Abstract

This study provides information on the potential human health risk of Hg, Cd, Pb and As exposure from consumption of two fish species (Umbrina cirrosa and Sciaena umbra) in the general population and in high-level fish consumers. The concentrations did not show significant differences between the two species, and no fish length element level–body-length relationship was observed, except for Hg. The average metal(loid) levels, irrespective of species, varied in the following ranges: Hg = 0.18–0.19, Cd = 0.07–0.10, Pb = 0.10–0.12, As = 0.59–0.69 μg g−1 w.w. The concentrations remained below the maximum permissible limits (MPLs) for human consumption, except for Cd. The estimated intakes of Hg, Cd and Pb in both consumption scenarios were lower than the respective PTWI/PTMIs, as well as those of inorganic As, which were even lower than the BMDL01. The non-carcinogenic risk (THQ) did not reveal any concerns, except for Hg. The lifetime health cancer risk (ILCR) suggested hazard exclusively from Cd, although for high-level fish consumers, even the ILCR of inorganic As was, in some cases, above the acceptable range. Continuous monitoring of metal(loid) levels in these fish is strongly recommended because the results demonstrate the occurrence of potential health risks, especially in high-level fish consumers, due to the presence of Hg and Cd.