Environmental pollution continues to pose a serious threat to human health, especially when it involves exposure to toxic elements through the food chain. One of the primary sources of such exposure is seafood, which can be contaminated by heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. The study titled “A Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Seafood” conducted at Universitas Airlangga aims to analyze the health risks posed by the consumption of contaminated seafood. This article will explore the key findings of the study, as well as their impact on public health and environmental management policies.
Why Is Seafood a Major Concern?
Seafood has long been known as a high-quality source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids that greatly benefit health. However, with increasing environmental pollution, seafood can also become a primary pathway for human exposure to toxic elements. This study identifies several toxic elements that have the potential to contaminate seafood and evaluates the associated health risks using a probabilistic approach.
The Probabilistic Approach in Health Risk Assessment
Unlike traditional risk assessments, which tend to be linear, the probabilistic approach takes into account variability and uncertainty in exposure data. Using this method, the study provides a more realistic picture of the potential health risks faced by the general population due to seafood consumption. This includes various factors such as consumption frequency, levels of contamination in seafood, and the body’s tolerance to toxic elements.
Key Findings: Toxic Elements in Seafood
The study found that certain seafood contains levels of toxic elements that exceed recommended safety limits. For example, mercury, often found in large predator fish, can have harmful effects on the nervous system, especially for pregnant women and children. Arsenic, on the other hand, has been linked to cancer risks and other chronic health issues. These findings underscore the need for strict monitoring of heavy metal contamination in seafood available on the market.
Implications for Public Health and Environmental Policy
This study has significant implications for public health policy. Governments and health agencies must consider the findings of this study to develop stricter regulations regarding toxic element thresholds in seafood and to educate the public about potential risks associated with excessive consumption. Moreover, efforts to mitigate environmental pollution must be intensified, such as improving industrial waste management to prevent marine contamination.
Ways to Reduce Exposure to Toxic Elements
For consumers, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce exposure to toxic elements from seafood, including:
- Consuming seafood from trusted sources that have been tested for safety.
- Choosing fish types that tend to have lower mercury levels, such as smaller fish and shellfish.
- Reducing the frequency of consuming large predator fish such as tuna and sharks.
Conclusion
This study serves as a warning about the importance of monitoring and managing health risks associated with seafood consumption. By using a probabilistic approach, exposure risks to toxic elements can be identified and minimized, allowing the public to enjoy the health benefits of seafood without compromising their well-being. These findings provide an important foundation for future health policies and consumer protection measures.
Link Journal : https://scholar.unair.ac.id/en/publications/a-probabilistic-health-risk-assessment-of-potentially-toxic-eleme