Edible marine species (fish, cephalopod molluscs, crustaceans) from the Adriatic Sea were analyzed for
content in heavy metals (Hg, Cd and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Health risks to human
via dietary intake of seafood were assessed by the target hazard quotients (THQs) and the toxic equivalent
factors (TEFs). Mercury maximum concentrations corresponded to fish (0.07–1.56 lg g1 w.w.),
followed by cephalopod molluscs (0.10–0.55 lg g1 w.w.), and crustaceans (0.27–0.33 lg g1 w.w.).
Cadmium levels in cephalopods (0.18–0.59 lg g1 w.w.) were higher than those in fish (0.01–
0.05 lg g1 w.w.) and crustaceans (0.02–0.04 lg g1 w.w.), while for Pb the concentrations were
generally low (fish: ND–1.18 lg g1 w.w., cephalopods: ND–0.17 lg g1 w.w., crustaceans: ND–
0.03 lg g1 w.w.). For PCBs, concentrations in fish, cephalopods and crustaceans ranged between 141
and 3406 ng g1 l.w., 190 and 542 ng g1 l.w., and 202 and 429 ng g1 l.w., respectively. Cd and Pb THQ
values as well as estimates of PCB TEQ exposure indicated the absence of health risks through consumption
of the various seafood. In contrast, mercury TEQs values due to consumption of certain fish species
(albacore, rosefish and thornback ray) indicated that human health risk might be of concern.
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