Title: Human dietary exposure to lead and cadmium via the consumption of mussels and seaweeds from San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia Argentina

Authors: Adriana Angela Perez, Maria Angelica Fajardo, Silvia Sara Farias, Laura Beatriz Perez, Analia Mabel Strobl, Otmaro Enrique Roses

Addresses: Catedra de Toxicologia y Quimica Legal, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Chubut, Argentina. ' Catedra de Bromatologia y Nutricion, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Chubut, Argentina. ' Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica, Gerencia de Tecnologia y Medio Ambiente, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ' Departamento de Biologia, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Chubut, Argentina. ' Catedra de Toxicologia y Quimica Legal, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Chubut, Argentina. ' Catedra de Toxicologia y Quimica Legal, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junin 956 (1113) Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract: Lead and cadmium were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in Aulacomya atra, Mytilus edulis, Porphyra columbina and Ulva spp. in two sites of the San Jorge Gulf (Argentina). In Punta Maqueda, M. edulis cadmium concentrations were higher than those measured at the mouth of La Mata stream throughout the year. In A. atra, no statistically significant difference was recorded between the two sampling points. Lead levels do not exceed the limits set by the National Agrifood Health and Quality National Service. Cadmium levels in Punta Maqueda exceed the limit set by the EU and values close to the PTWI have been observed. Lead concentrations in P. columbina and Ulva spp. do not seem to represent a problem for the public health. Nevertheless, all the seaweed samples exceed the values set for cadmium in France, Australia and New Zealand. An intake of 30 g of seaweed would not exceed cadmium PTWI.

Keywords: environmental pollution; public health; PTWI; heavy metals; mussels; seaweed; dietary exposure; lead levels; lead concentrations; cadmium levels; cadmium concentrations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2011.041326

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2011 Vol.5 No.3, pp.163 - 185

Published online: 16 Jul 2011 *

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