Cadmium concentrations in shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus and Penaeus monodon) caught from the coastal areas in Southern Iran.

This study was undertaken to determine the concentration of cadmium in two shrimp species, namely, Penaeus semisulcatus and Penaeus monodon caught from the coastal areas in southern Iran. Cadmium concentration was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 91 shrimp samples after nitric acid/perchloric acid digestion. Accuracy of the analysis was checked by various methods including the use of reference material. The mean ± SD of cadmium concentrations in shrimp samples were 0.128 ± 0.144 (µg/g). The cadmium concentrations ranged from 0.010 to 0.96 µg/g of the muscle tissues of shrimp. Higher cadmium concentration in shrimp samples was found in summer (significant p < 0.05). The results show that the mean concentration of cadmium in shrimp is lower than the maximum allowed levels according to International standards, although the concentration of cadmium in only one sample was more than the amount recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization. Therefore, no risk to the consumer arises from the cadmium contents of the shrimp caught in these areas.

Determination of mercury, cadmium and lead in human milk in Iran.

Breast milk contains both essential and nonessential trace elements. Mercury, cadmium and lead are nonessential, potentially toxic heavy metals with hematotoxic, neurotoxic and nephrotoxic properties even at very low concentrations. The objectives of this study were to determine the concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead in the breast milk of healthy lactating women who were living in Isfahan, Iran. Concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry in 37 milk samples from healthy lactating women collected on first to sixth postpartum week. Accuracy of the analysis was checked by various methods including the use of reference material. The mean ± SD of the concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead in human milk were 0.92 ± 0.54 µg/L (range 0.0-2.07 µg/L), 1.92 ± 1.04 µg/L (range 0.45-5.87 µg/L) and 7.11 ± 3.96 µg/L (range 3.06-19.47 µg/L), respectively. The results of this study showed that the concentrations of mercury, lead and cadmium in the milk samples from lactating women in Isfahan were high, which makes a major public health hazard for the inhabitants, especially neonatal and children, of the industrial locations. The results of the present study indicate a need for establishing safe intake values of heavy metals in human milk.