Avaliação da acumulação de mercúrio e estimativas de exposição através do consumo em peixes vermelhos (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) do Estado do Ceará

Abstract

The fishing of red fishes from the Lutjanidae family in Brazil began in the 1960s along the northeastern coast, particularly in the states of Maranhão, Ceará, and Piauí. It is currently one of the main fishery products in the region. Fish is an essential food resource due to its high protein content, including fatty acids and minerals crucial for human health. However, seafood consumption is the primary route of human exposure to mercury (Hg), which, in excessive amounts, can have harmful effects on consumers' health. Hg is a heavy metal that, in its organic form (methylmercury, CH3Hg+), poses a significant toxicity risk to fish consumers. Health issues resulting from Hg contamination include motor, visual, and cardiac impairments, neuropathies, and other symptoms, which arise from acute and/or chronic exposure to high levels. Therefore, given the importance of red fishes as valuable fishery products in Ceará and their role as a pathway for Hg exposure in fish consumers, this study aimed to quantify Hg levels in the main red fish species sold in markets and estimate exposure levels through their consumption. The results indicate that the mean Hg concentrations are below the maximum limit for predatory fish established by national regulations (1.0 mg kg−1). The species with the highest concentrations were the Northern Pargo, Lutjanus purpureus (0.088 ± 0.189 mg kg−1), followed by the Cioba, Lutjanus analis (0.064 ± 0.021 mg kg−1) and the Ariacó, Lutjanus synagris (0.054 ± 0.048 mg kg−1). The lowest concentrations were found in the Dentão, Lutjanus jocu (0.017 ± 0.167 mg kg−1), the Carapitanga, Lutjanus cyanopterus (0.028 ± 0.018 mg kg−1), and the Guaiuba, Ocyurus chrysurus (0.040 ± 0.065 mg kg−1). Significant positive statistical relationships were observed between fork length and Hg concentration, highlighting the bioaccumulation of this metal in the studied red fish species. Two consumption scenarios were considered (general: 24.5 g day−1; and subsistence: 100 g day−1). The estimated daily intake of Hg (EDI-Hg) and the target hazard quotient (THQ) indicate that, in general, the consumption of this type of fish in Ceará does not pose a high exposure risk to consumers, except for children in subsistence consumption. Therefore, consumption recommendations were made for target groups to ensure adequate fish intake while reducing Hg exposure risks.