Assessment of health risk from heavy metal contamination of shellfish from the Persian Gulf

The present study assessed the risk of consumption of shrimp and lobster contaminated with mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead from the Persian Gulf. The concentrations of mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium in shrimp was 62.5, 178.2, 325.2, and 193.5 μg kg⁻¹ and in lobsters was 53.2, 103.9, 640.6, and 163.1 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The maximum daily consumption of shrimp and lobster was calculated to estimate health risks associated with their consumption. The results showed that the maximum allowable consumption of shrimp and lobster was 18–140 g/day for mercury, 33–214 g/day for arsenic, 59–454 g/day for cadmium, and 72–916 g/day for lead. The concentration of metals was within recommended limits for human consumption with the exception of lead, which was found to be above acceptable levels and represents a health risk.