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Cadmium and lead in seafood from the Aratu Bay, Brazil and the human health risk assessment

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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels in seafood and perform a risk assessment based on individual food consumption frequency of inhabitants of the Aratu Bay, Brazil. From December 2013 to November 2014, ready-to-market seafood, including fish [pititinga (Lile piquitinga) and small green eel (Gobionellus oceanicus)], mollusks [mussel (Mytella guyanensis) and oyster (Crassostrea rhizophorae)], and crustaceans [white shrimp (Litopenaeus schmitti) and blue crab (Callinectes exasperatus)], were purchased bimonthly from a local artisanal shellfish harvester. Metal levels were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Based on the volunteer’ seafood consumption, estimates of the non-carcinogenic target hazard quotients (THQs) were calculated. The annual concentrations (μg/g, w/w) of Cd were 0.007 (±0.001) in crustaceans, 0.001 (±0.0003) in fish, and 0.446 (±0.034) in mollusks. Lead levels were <limit of detection (LOD) in crustaceans, 0.044 (±0.0032) in fish, and 0.111 (±0.009) in mollusks. All values were within the international guidelines. We observed that 90.9 % of the responders presented an average THQ < 1, which is classified as negligible risk; however, 9.1 % presented THQs between ≥1 and <9.9. These data are important to inform the community of the imminent exposure risk through communication strategies, with the purpose of minimizing exposure and, consequently, the health effects associated with it.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to express our thankfulness to the inhabitants of the Santa Luzia community who participated as volunteers in this study. This investigation was partially supported by the Federal University of Bahia Bolsa de Produtividade em Pesquisa grant number 7081/2014 and a master’s scholarship to Araujo, C.F.S. from Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa do Esato da Bahia (FAPESB).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy, Graduate Program in Food Science, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Barão Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40170-115, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

    Cecilia Freitas Silva da Araújo & José Antonio Menezes-Filho

  2. College of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Toxicology, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Barão Jeremoabo, s / n, Ondina, 40170-115, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

    Cecilia Freitas Silva da Araújo, Thiago Santos Porcino, Amanda Santos Vaz Ribeiro, Juliana Lima Gomes Rodrigues, Sérgio Soares do Prado Oliveira & José Antonio Menezes-Filho

  3. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, State University of Bahia, Silveira Martins Av., 2555. Cabula, 41150-000, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

    Mariângela Vieira Lopes & Mirian Rocha Vasquez

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  1. Cecilia Freitas Silva da Araújo
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  2. Mariângela Vieira Lopes
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Correspondence to José Antonio Menezes-Filho.

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da Araújo, C.F.S., Lopes, M.V., Vasquez, M.R. et al. Cadmium and lead in seafood from the Aratu Bay, Brazil and the human health risk assessment. Environ Monit Assess 188, 259 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5262-y

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