Risk assessment of dietary exposure to methylmercury in fish in the UK

Risk assessment of chemicals in food is generally based upon the results of toxicological studies in laboratory animals, allowing for uncertainties relating to inter-species differences, human variability, and gaps in the database. Use of quantitative human data is preferable if available, as in the example of methylmercury. Methyl-mercury is a neurotoxic environmental contaminant, for much fish can be consumed without undue risk from the contaminants. Consumption by adults of one weekly portion (140 g) of shark, swordfish or marlin, would lead to an exceedance of the guideline intake for methylmercury of 4090%, set to protect the developing fetus, without considering intake from the rest of the diet. Pregnant women and line intake, set to protect groups of the population other acids (LC n3-PUFAs). Intake of LC n3-PUFAs from swordfish, and fish is the major source of dietary ther contaminants of possible concern sh include arsenic, brominated flame-cadmium and lead. Risk assessment of chemical contaminants in fish is required to deter-fely be ng con-per dis-ve been ontami-essment Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26: 185 19