Regular consumption of fish is generally recommended by authorities because fish is an important source of essential nutrients. However, the presence of potentially toxic contaminants in fish has raised many concerns about the food's safety for human health. In the present study, we used a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to assess the dietary habits of a representative sample of 719 individuals (319 males and 400 females) aged 18–87 years residing in Northern Italy. We estimated weekly dietary intakes of Arsenic (As) and Mercury (Hg), and we compared them with safety standards set by the European Food Safety Authority. In this population, fish was the main contributor to As and Hg intake. The highest levels of As were in sardine, sole/flounder and cephalopods, and of Hg in the biggest, predatory fish. About the other foods, cereals were the second contributor to the intake of these elements, especially rice for As and bread for Hg, and high levels of As and Hg were also found in mushrooms, coffee and wine. Average weekly intake of both contaminants was below recommended safety limits.

Intake of arsenic and mercury from fish and seafood in a Northern Italy community / Filippini, Tommaso; Malavolti, Marcella; Cilloni, Silvia; Wise, Lauren A.; Violi, Federica; Malagoli, Carlotta; Vescovi, Luciano; Vinceti, Marco. - In: FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY. - ISSN 0278-6915. - 116:Pt B(2018), pp. 20-26. [10.1016/j.fct.2018.04.010]

Intake of arsenic and mercury from fish and seafood in a Northern Italy community

Filippini, Tommaso;Malavolti, Marcella;Cilloni, Silvia;Violi, Federica;Malagoli, Carlotta;Vinceti, Marco
2018

Abstract

Regular consumption of fish is generally recommended by authorities because fish is an important source of essential nutrients. However, the presence of potentially toxic contaminants in fish has raised many concerns about the food's safety for human health. In the present study, we used a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to assess the dietary habits of a representative sample of 719 individuals (319 males and 400 females) aged 18–87 years residing in Northern Italy. We estimated weekly dietary intakes of Arsenic (As) and Mercury (Hg), and we compared them with safety standards set by the European Food Safety Authority. In this population, fish was the main contributor to As and Hg intake. The highest levels of As were in sardine, sole/flounder and cephalopods, and of Hg in the biggest, predatory fish. About the other foods, cereals were the second contributor to the intake of these elements, especially rice for As and bread for Hg, and high levels of As and Hg were also found in mushrooms, coffee and wine. Average weekly intake of both contaminants was below recommended safety limits.
2018
5-apr-2018
116
Pt B
20
26
Intake of arsenic and mercury from fish and seafood in a Northern Italy community / Filippini, Tommaso; Malavolti, Marcella; Cilloni, Silvia; Wise, Lauren A.; Violi, Federica; Malagoli, Carlotta; Vescovi, Luciano; Vinceti, Marco. - In: FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY. - ISSN 0278-6915. - 116:Pt B(2018), pp. 20-26. [10.1016/j.fct.2018.04.010]
Filippini, Tommaso; Malavolti, Marcella; Cilloni, Silvia; Wise, Lauren A.; Violi, Federica; Malagoli, Carlotta; Vescovi, Luciano; Vinceti, Marco
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1159949
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