JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS, vol.106, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)
This study analyzes the metal/metalloid levels in stuffed mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) sold in five cities in Turkey and evaluates the possible health risks these levels pose for children and adults. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) was used to determine the metal levels of samples. In stuffed mussels, the highest levels found elements iron (Fe), and vanadium (V) were 50.59-219.80 and 85.75-161.70 mg/kg, respectively, while the lowest levels for cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) were 0.11-1.08, 0.52-1.20 and 0.40-1.50 mg/kg, respectively. Estimated weekly intake (EWI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and lifetime cancer risk (CR) assessments for adults and children for different consumption frequencies based on metal levels present were conducted on stuffed mussels. Based on THQ calculations, V levels were found to be >1 for both children and adults. The results showed that Cr, As, and Cd levels posed a carcinogenic risk for almost all locations and consumer groups, while it was found that Pb did not pose any carcinogenic risk.