Metal Concentrations in Age-Groups of the Clam, Megapitaria squalida, from a Coastal Lagoon in Mexico: A Human Health Risk Assessment.

The present study shows the human health risk of Cd, Cu, Hg and Zn by consumption of clams Megapitaria squalida from Northwest Mexico, collected in 2013. The mean concentration for each metal in the soft tissue was: Zn > Cu > Cd > Hg; and mean values of 68.89 ± 37.59-30.36 ± 27.19, 8.77 ± 1.35-6.80 ± 0.36, 4.47 ± 0.21-3.18 ± 0.63 and 0.99 ± 0.81-0.52 ± 0.16 µg/g, respectively. Clam age was significantly negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with soft tissue Zn concentrations. For all metals there is a low level of human health risk associated with the consumption of M. squalida, but it is necessary to determine the specific characteristics of the human population of the study site.