Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in three pelagic fish species from Atlantic Ocean: Inter-specific and inter-season comparisons and assessment of potential public health risks

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology 2012-02, Vol.50 (2), p.162-167
• Main Authors: Ramalhosa, Maria João, Paíga, Paula, Morais, Simone, Ramos, Sandra, Delerue-Matos, Cristina, Oliveira, Maria Beatriz Prior Pinto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Atlantic Ocean; bioaccumulation; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinogenesis, carcinogens and anticarcinogens; Chemical agents; Fish; Fishes - classification; Fishes - metabolism; Food Contamination; Food toxicology; lipid content; mackerel; Medical sciences; Muscle, Skeletal - chemistry; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; naphthalene; pelagic fish; phenanthrene; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - chemistry; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - metabolism; Public Health; risk; Risk Factors; Risks for human consumption; Sardina pilchardus; sardines; Scomber japonicus; Seasons; Species Specificity; Toxicology; Trachurus trachurus; Tumors; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.10.059

► 18 PAHs contents determined in Sardina pilchardus, Scomber japonicus and Trachurus trachurus from Atlantic Ocean. ► Only low molecular weight PAHs were detected (naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene and phenanthrene). ► PAH amounts and total fat content and season was the more relevant statistical correlations observed. ► Assessment of health risks by consumption of these fish species. ► Nο threat to public health concerning PAH intakes. The concentrations of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in three commercially valuable fish species (sardine, Sardina pilchardus; chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus; and horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus) from the Atlantic Ocean. Specimens were collected seasonally during 2007–2009. Only low molecular weight PAHs were detected, namely, naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene and phenanthrene. Chub mackerel (1.80–19.90μg/kgww) revealed to be significantly more contaminated than horse mackerel (2.73–10.0μg/kgww) and sardine (2.29–14.18μg/kgww). Inter-specific and inter-season comparisons of PAHs bioaccumulation were statistically assessed. The more relevant statistical correlations were observed between PAH amounts and total fat content (significant positive relationships, p⩽0.05), and season (sardine displayed higher amounts in autumn–winter while the mackerel species showed globally the inverse behavior). The health risks by consumption of these species were assessed and shown to present no threat to public health concerning PAH intakes.