Lead, nickel and vanadium in seafood: An exposure assessment for Kuwaiti consumers

Human exposure to lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and vanadium (V) through the inges tion of six species of fish and two species of shrimp in Kuwait are determi ned. The study on seafood consumed by the Kuwaiti residents was analyzed by conducting a survey in five districts of the country, namely, Kuwait city (Capital), Farwaniya, Jahra, Hawaly and Ahmedi. Samples consisting of fish and shrimp were purchased from the local fish market during November 1995 a nd June 1996. Based on the survey, three major factors were investigated: ( i) Pb, Ni and V concentration in the fish of locally consumed fish and shri mp; (ii) daily dietary intake of these elements in humans through consumpti on of seafood; and (iii) characterizing potential health risks associated w ith the estimated daily intakes. The risk associated with Pb, Ni and V in s eafood was estimated based on a Hazard Index (HI). Although the highest HI (using the 95th percentiles of the daily intake of the element as the dose of concern) was observed for zobaidy, hamoor and shrimp, it is always < 1. This indicated that no serious health threats are associated with oil-relat ed elements in fish and shrimp. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.