Systematic Review of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Fish and Shellfish in Korea

Abstract

Objectives: Heavy metals ingested through the consumption of aquatic products can accumulate in the human body over the long-term and cause various health problems. This study aims to present comprehensive data on the amount of heavy metals found in fish and shellfish in Korea using a systematic review of studies that report on that issue. Methods: The study used the following databases: PubMed, Korean Studies Information Service System, and Research Information Sharing Service. The search terms for PubMed included fish OR shellfish OR seafood AND mercury OR cadmium OR lead OR heavy metal AND Korea. The search terms for Korean Studies Information Service System and Research Information Sharing Service included eoryu sueun, eoryu kadeumyum, eoryu nab, eoryu jung-geumsog, paeryu sueun, paeryu kadeumyum, paeryu nab, paeryu jung-geumsog, eopaeryu sueun, eopaeryu kadeumyum, eopaeryu nab, and eopaeryu jung-geumsog. Results: A total of 32 articles were selected for review. The total mercury, lead, and cadmium concentrations in fish and shellfish reported in each of the articles are summarized, as are the species of fish and shellfish with relatively high concentrations of heavy metals. Total mercury concentrations tended to be higher in predatory fish species, such as sharks, billfishes, and tuna, while lead and cadmium concentrations tended to be higher in shellfish. Conclusion: This paper is the first to report a comprehensive summary of the concentrations of heavy metals in fish and shellfish. This data could be used as evidence to protect Koreans from exposure to heavy metals due to the consumption of highly polluted aquatic products. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. � ��� 1 2 ResultsAfter removing duplicate records, 398 bibliographic records were identified. Among these records, 345 articles did not meet the inclusion criteria at the first screening, 53 full-text articles were selected for full-text screening, and 32 articles were obtained and screened. Information about the searching and screening process, and the study inclusion criteria are summarized in the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flow diagram presented in Fig. 1.Studies that examined the concentrations of three heavy metals, Hg, Pb, and Cd, in fish and shellfish in Korea are summarized in Supplementary Table 1. The number of samples analyzed, and the mean, standard deviation, and minimum and maximum values of the total Hg, Pb, and Cd concentrations in fish and shellfish reported in the selected literature are summarized in Supplementary Tables 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Of the 32 articles that reported on the concentrations of heavy metals in fish and shellfish, 15 reported Hg concentrations [10-24], 12 reported heavy metal concentrations for...

Association of Blood Mercury Level with the Risk of Depression According to Fish Intake Level in the General Korean Population: Findings from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008–2013

“…In our study, increased consumption of white fish, fatty fish such as mackerel, tuna, croaker, and pollack, shellfish and sea food showed high mercury levels among Koreans. Correspondingly, high mercury concentrations have been reported in deep-sea fish such as sharks, tuna, swordfish, smooth hammerheads, crocodile sharks, and shellfish [55].…”

“…No previous studies have been reported on the relationship of mercury with fish intake and risk of depression in humans. According to the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA), the total mercury concentration in fish/shellfish and deep-sea fish should be below 0.5 ppm and 1 ppm, respectively [55]. The Stony Brook Medical Center in New York reported that consumption of high-mercury deep-sea fish such as shark, marlin, swordfish, mackerel, tuna, and tile fish was associated with development of fatigue and depressive symptoms [56].…”

Association between Pb, Cd, and Hg Exposure and Liver Injury among Korean Adults

“…In Korea, due to the geographic characteristics of islands or coastal countries, the country has characteristics of a food culture with high seafood consumption, which can affect exposure to heavy metals [ 31 ]. Several studies have reported that high concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Hg were detected in fish, shellfish, and crustacean consumption [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Considering that seafood consumption frequency is an important confounder of adults in Korea to heavy metals exposure, fish consumption frequency was considered a covariate in the present study.…”

Evaluation of Dietary Organic and Inorganic Mercury Threshold Levels on Induced Mercury Toxicity in a Marine Fish Model

“…The typical concentration of Hg in edible tissues of various species of fish ranges from 50 to 1400 mg/kg of fresh weight; however, fish from contaminated aquatic environments can have 10 mg/kg [11]. In a recent study in the Republic of Korea, the total mercury concentrations tended to be higher in predatory fish species such as sharks, billfishes, and tuna [12]. Niimi and Kissoon [13] reported that the level could reach 20 mg/kg, which may cause toxicity in fish.…”