Dados do Trabalho

Título

TOTAL AND INORGANIC ARSENIC IN MARINE FISH AND ESTIMATIVE OF THE BRAZILIAN POPULATION EXPOSURE

Introdução

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid widely presence in marine fish being toxic for several biological systems and can cause carcinogenic effects to humans. The main arsenic compounds found in fish are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic organic forms. However, the proportion of inorganic (iAs) and total arsenic (As-t) in fish is not completely known.

Material e Métodos

This study estimates the As-t and iAs proportion, the intake of iAs from marine fish and the Individual Lifetime Cancer Risk (TR) in Brazilian population based on deterministic approach. Total and iAs occurrence marine fishes collected by surveillance programs were stablished by analytical methods that were in accordance with Codex performance criteria. Marine fish consumption data were obtained from a Brazilian official dietary survey. The TR was calculated with the acceptable risk level being 10-4.

Resultados e Discussão

As-t in fish varied between non-detected (ND) to 110.0 mg/kg, and the iAs ranged from ND to 0.138 mg/kg. A total of 63.3% of samples exceed the Brazilian regulatory limits. The As-t and iAs proportion for fish was 0.35%. The population groups most exposed to iAs were high consumers (adolescents, adults and the elderly). TR indicated a low risk in relation to the intake of iAs through the consumption of marine fish.

Conclusão

Several studies of arsenic speciation in fish are still necessary to determine the real risk of iAs intake since there are few studies and data from Brazilian fish samples.