Fish consumption and pollution by metals: Human health risk evaluation

Abstract

The bioaccumulation of metals in fish occurs even when the concentration of these elements in water is almost undetectable. This is due to the exposure time of the animal to pollution in inhabited environments throughout their life cycle. With the aim of guiding balanced diet practices, doctors and nutritionists suggest frequent consumption of fish, known to be a rich source of protein, fatty acids, omega 3, vitamins and low in fat. However, in contrast to the inherent benefits of regular fish consumption, the risk associated to the chemicals exposure, such as heavy metals, may represent the warning sign for consumers. Fishing for people living near rivers are a viable way to protein intake compared to the cost of beef and pork. In coastal communities it was shown that the amount of fish consumed is around 380-600 grams per inhabitant per day, and if the fish was contaminated by heavy metals, the intake may be an important exposure way to these people. Studies have shown that in Brazil people still using sensory criteria to choose fish for consumption, indicating a need for studies to determine the chemicals in fish consumed and appropriate nutritional education to the population. Human health risk assessment associated to the consumption of fish seem to be an efficient methodologies in the context of the public health, to demonstrate the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk to vulnerable populations and allow decisions to be taken in order to prevent health problems. TecnATox research group at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Reus and Tarragona, Cataluna, Spain, has extensive experience in human health risk investigation through the contaminated food ingestion and has the structure of laboratories and technology for the quantification of chemical contaminants. The objectives of this study are to determine the concentrations of metals As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl and Zn in freshwater fish and sea fish most consumed in Brazil; assess carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with fish consumption through Monte Carlo simulation.