Heavy metal bioaccumulation in five bivalves from coastal areas of yellow sea and Bohai Sea, China: Evaluation of contamination and human health risk

Abstract Heavy metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, iAs, Cr, Cd, Pb and Hg) in five commercially important bivalves from the coastal areas of Yellow sea and Bohai sea, China were determined, and their potential human health risks were evaluated. Results showed that there was a significant difference among these metal contents (p<0.05) in different bivalve species, except for Hg. The contents of all metals were below the maximum allowable limit regulated by China Food Standard Agency. The health risks from most bivalves’ consumption were safe with the THQ being much lower than 1.0, except for Cd in some scallop samples. The average EDI/PTDI of Cd from Chlamys farreri consumption was 92%, and the average EDI of Cu and Cd in Crassostrea gigas occupied 61% and 62% of PTDI. Thus a moderate consumption of C. farreri and C. gigas was suggested to reduce the potential health risk of heavy metals.