Icaro S. de A. Porto’s scientific contributions

This work reports carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic indices in inorganic assessing contamination in fish samples. In this context, fifty-one sardine samples were commercially acquired in seventeen neighborhoods and were toxicologically evaluated. These samples were washed, frozen, freeze-dried, and digested in a microwave oven. Six chemical elements were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The average levels on a wet basis expressed as μg g−1, ranged from 0.34 to 2.03 for total arsenic, 0.12 to 4.42 for copper, 0.04 to 0.26 for chromium, 4.61 to 99.39 for iron, 3.73 to 34.99 for zinc, and 0.01 to 4.07 for manganese. The estimated weekly intake, target hazard quotient, maximum safe consumption quantity, and carcinogenic risk indices were applied to the data found, denoting that arsenic levels can cause carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic adverse effects on the health of residents. However, these risks are minimized because the evaluation indices were calculated by total arsenic concentrations. In fish matrices, the arsenic is predominantly arsenobetaine, which has low toxicity. Samples from ten neighborhoods also showed copper concentrations that indicate the likelihood of carcinogenic risks. The chromium, iron, zinc, and manganese levels do not pose any health risks to consumers.

In recent years, human health risk indices in the toxicological assessment of foods have been widely used, considering that they can establish reports with analytical and legal security when well applied. These indices are classified as singles and integrated, being that the singles are Estimated Weekly Intakes (EWI), Estimated Daily Intakes (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Maximum Safe Consuming Quantity (MSCQ), and Target Carcinogenic Risk (TCR). The integrated indices are Hazard Index (HI)-THQ and Hazard Index (HI)-TCR, which come from the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Target Carcinogenic Risk (TCR) indices, respectively. In a didactic way, these indices are presented using works reported in the literature involving plant, animal, and industrial food matrices.