Toxic metals in fish from polish market, health risk assessment

Despite health benefits, fish consumption poses risks of exposure to toxic substances. Concentrations of toxic metals were determined in 20 fish species available on the Polish market. Cadmium (Cd) concentrations were within the range 0.003-0.005 mg/kg, lead (Pb) 0.011-0.033 mg/kg, total mercury (THg) 0.014-0.133 mg/kg, methylmercury (MeHg) 0.010 mg/kg - 0.108 mg/kg, inorganic arsenic (iAs) below 0.02 mg/kg. Mercury and methylmercury in tuna were at higher levels. The average contents 0.919 mg/kg and 0.684 mg/kg, were close to the limit for THg 1 mg/kg (Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915). Risks to consumer health were estimated on the base on toxicity markers non-carcinogenic (THQ) for Cd, Pb, MeHg and iAs, and carcinogenic (CR) coefficient for iAs. Values THQ were low for Cd (0.5 x 10^-3 - 2 x 10^-3), Pb (0.7 x 10^-3 - 2.4 x 10^-3), MeHg (2.8 x 10^-2 - 31 x 10^-2) and for iAs (1.9 x 10^-2). The CR marker for iAs was also low at 0.86 x 10^-5. Low values for toxic metals and toxicity markers in fish from the Polish market confirms their safe consumption. Only in tuna the marker THQ for MeHg was twice the recommended safe value. The high methylmercury contents and high THQ in tuna indicates limitations in consumption this fish. Over the past decade, levels of toxic metals in fishes on the Polish market have remained stable. The only significant change was the increased THg and MeHg in tuna.