Mercury contamination of fish and shrimp samples available in markets of Mashhad, Iran.
Bull Environ Contam Toxicol
; 91(3): 267-71, 2013 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23903758
ABSTRACT
Fish and shrimp are common healthy sources of protein to a large percentage of the world's population. Hence, it is vital to evaluate the content of possible contamination of these marine-foods. Six species of fishes and two species of shrimps were collected from the local markets of Mashhad, Iran. The mercury (Hg) concentration of samples was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using a mercuric hydride system (MHS 10). High concentration of total Hg was found in Clupeonella cultriventris caspia (0.93 ± 0.14 µg/g) while the lowest level was detected in Penaeus indicus (0.37 ± 0.03 µg/g). Mean Hg levels in fish and shrimp samples were 0.77 ± 0.08 µg/g and 0.51 ± 0.05 µg/g, respectively. Farmed species (except for P. indicus) and all samples from Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea had mean mercury concentrations above 0.5 µg/g, which is the maximum standard level recommended by Joint FAO/WHO/Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). All samples had also mean Hg concentrations that exceeded EPA's established safety level of 0.3 µg/g. A little more extensive analysis of data showed that weekly intake of mercury for the proportion of the Iranian population consuming Hg contaminated fish and shrimp is not predicted to exceed the respective provisional tolerable weekly intakes recommended by JECFA. However, the Iranian health and environmental authorities should monitor Hg contamination of the fishes and shrimps before marketing.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Poluentes Químicos da Água
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Contaminação de Alimentos
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Alimentos Marinhos
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Penaeidae
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Exposição Ambiental
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Peixes
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Mercúrio
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article