Assessment of the health risks related with metal accumulation in blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) caught in East Java coastal waters, Indonesia

Blue swimming crab (BSC) Portunus pelagicus from the Bali Strait had the lowest Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd and Hg concentrations compared to those from the Java Sea and the Madura Strait. The order of metal concentrations in BSC was Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg. The levels of six metals in BSC from all stations were less than the maximum allowable limits. However, Cr levels in BSC from the Java Sea and the Madura Strait exceeded the provisional tolerable weekly intake. All of the hazardous index values reported were greater than one, indicating that consumption of this crab from these locations appears to be hazardous to human health. Furthermore, because the Cr and Cd target cancer risk values were higher than 10(-4), people who consume this crab from these locations may develop cancer after a lifespan of consumption.

Automated summary

A study found that blue swimming crabs from the Bali Strait had the lowest concentrations of copper, zinc, chromium, lead, cadmium, and mercury compared to those from the Java Sea and the Madura Strait. The levels of these metals in the crabs were below the maximum allowable limits, except for chromium in the crabs from the Java Sea and the Madura Strait. The study suggests that consuming blue swimming crabs from these locations may pose health risks and increase the chances of developing cancer.