Total mercury content in the California ribbed sea mussel Mytilus californianus from the west coast of Baja California, M acute accent exico: Levels of contamination and human health risk

We analyzed spatial and temporal variations in total mercury concentration (THg) in Mytilus californianus from the west coast of Baja California, Me ' xico, and assessed the potential risk for human health. The sites from the northern zone showed the highest levels of THg over the entire three years of study, however, no significant differences among years were found. The highest level of THg (0.110 mu g/g d.w.) was recorded in 2010 at Bajamar (SS2), and the lowest (0.011 mu g/g d.w.) in 2007 and 2008 at Ere ' ndira (SS4) and Los Ojitos (SS7), respectively. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values for adults through mussel consumption were lower than the oral reference dose (RfDo) and the acceptable daily intake (ADI) values established by the USEPA and the FAO/WHO, respectively. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values were <1.0, indicating that mercury concentrations in M. californianus are not likely to pose a risk for human health.

Automated summary

The study found spatial and temporal variations in total mercury concentration in Mytilus californianus from the west coast of Baja California, Mexico. Despite the highest levels of THg in the northern zone, the mercury concentrations are not likely to pose a risk for human health, as the estimated daily intake values were lower than the standards established by USEPA and FAO/WHO.