Lead, nickel and vanadium in seafood: an exposure assessment for Kuwaiti consumers

Human exposure to lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and vanadium (V) through the ingestion of six species of fish and two species of shrimp in Kuwait are determined. The study on seafood consumed by the Kuwaiti residents was analyzed by conducting a survey in five districts of the country, namely, Kuwait city (Capital), Farwaniya, Jahra, Hawaly and Ahmedi. Samples consisting of fish and shrimp were purchased from the local fish market during November 1995 and June 1996. Based on the survey, three major factors were investigated: (i) Pb, Ni and V concentration in the fish of locally consumed fish and shrimp; (ii) daily dietary intake of these elements in humans through consumption of seafood; and (iii) characterizing potential health risks associated with the estimated daily intakes. The risk associated with Pb, Ni and V in seafood was estimated based on a Hazard Index (HI). Although the highest HI (using the 95th percentiles of the daily intake of the element as the dose of concern) was observed for zobaidy, hamoor and shrimp, it is always < 1. This indicated that no serious health threats are associated with oil-related elements in fish and shrimp.