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Total Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish in Market of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

The mercury concentration was quantified in frozen and canned fish found in the market of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Using the method of amalgamation by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with a direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80), significant differences in mercury concentrations among the analyzed fish were found. Frozen pangasius and canned tuna had the highest mercury concentration (59.1 μg/kg and 54.1 μg/kg, respectively). Also, fish from Vietnam had the highest level of total mercury in comparison to fish from other countries. Determined levels of mercury in our samples were below the limit set by the European and Bosnian and Herzegovinian legislation (500 μg/kg wet weight). We have concluded that consumption of commercial fish in the market of the Republic of Srpska does not present any health risk for the average consumer. Nevertheless, a surveillance system of mercury content in fishery products, especially in certain species that concentrate mercury, is crucial for public health protection.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Ljubica Bojanic for her valuable contribution regarding the experimental work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska, Jovana Dučića 1, 78000, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Mirjana Djermanovic

  2. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Save Mrkalja 14, 78000, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Mirjana Djermanovic

  3. Zvezdara Clinical Medical Center, University of Belgrade, Dimitrija Tucovica 161, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia

    Ivana Baralic

  4. Faculty of Pharmacy, University “Bijeljina”, Pavlovica Put BB, 76300, Bijeljina, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Ivana Baralic

  5. Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia

    Snezana Pejic

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  1. Mirjana Djermanovic
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  2. Ivana Baralic
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Correspondence to Ivana Baralic.

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Djermanovic, M., Baralic, I. & Pejic, S. Total Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish in Market of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Biol Trace Elem Res 194, 545–551 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01805-4

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