Back to Search
Start Over
Levels of Mercury, Methylmercury and Selenium in Fish: Insights into Children Food Safety
Levels of Mercury, Methylmercury and Selenium in Fish: Insights into Children Food Safety
- Source :
- Toxics, Toxics; Volume 9; Issue 2; Pages: 39, Toxics, Vol 9, Iss 39, p 39 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), and selenium (Se) concentrations were measured in various commercially important fish species. The benefit–risk binomial associated with these chemicals was assessed in children through the probability of exceeding the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs) of the contaminants and the Se recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The Se:Hg molar ratios, selenium health benefit values (HBVSe), and monthly consumption rate limits (CRmm) for each species were also calculated. THg and Se were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, Milan, Italy), while MeHg was determined by Trace Ultra gas chromatograph connected with a PolarisQ MS (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). None of the analyzed fish had Hg levels above the European Community regulatory limits, while most large predators had MeHg levels over the threshold concentration set by US EPA. The estimated weekly intakes of THg and MeHg exceeded in many cases the PTWIs and the Se estimated daily intakes were provided from 0.71% to 2.75% of the RDA. Se:Hg molar ratios above 1 and positive HBVSe index suggested that Se in fish could be enough to alleviate the potential toxic effect of Hg. However, high-risk groups as children should consume fish in moderation because a large consumption pattern, especially of swordfish and tunas, might be of concern for health.
- Subjects :
- mercury
RDA
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
chemistry.chemical_element
molar ratio
010501 environmental sciences
Health benefits
Toxicology
lcsh:Chemical technology
01 natural sciences
Article
chemistry.chemical_compound
0404 agricultural biotechnology
Animal science
children
lcsh:TP1-1185
fish
methylmercury
selenium
HBVSe
PTWI
Methylmercury
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Chemical Health and Safety
business.industry
Swordfish
04 agricultural and veterinary sciences
Food safety
040401 food science
Mercury (element)
chemistry
Dietary Reference Intake
Environmental science
Fish
business
Selenium
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 23056304
- Volume :
- 9
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Toxics
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....7ee3d8104052ab559060f8cf2c021660