Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Probabilistic health risk assessment for ingestion of seafood farmed in arsenic contaminated groundwater in Taiwan

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seafood farmed in arsenic (As)-contaminated areas is a major exposure pathway for the ingestion of inorganic As by individuals in the southwestern part of Taiwan. This study presents a probabilistic risk assessment using limited data for inorganic As intake through the consumption of the seafood by local residents in these areas. The As content and the consumption rate are both treated as probability distributions, taking into account the variability of the amount in the seafood and individual consumption habits. The Monte Carlo simulation technique is utilized to conduct an assessment of exposure due to the daily intake of inorganic As from As-contaminated seafood. Exposure is evaluated according to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) established by the FAO/WHO and the target risk based on the US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. The assessment results show that inorganic As intake from five types of fish (excluding mullet) and shellfish fall below the PTWI threshold values for the 95th percentiles, but exceed the target cancer risk of 10−6. The predicted 95th percentile for inorganic As intake and lifetime cancer risks obtained in the study are both markedly higher than those obtained in previous studies in which the consumption rate of seafood considered is a deterministic value. This study demonstrates the importance of the individual variability of seafood consumption when evaluating a high exposure sub-group of the population who eat higher amounts of fish and shellfish than the average Taiwanese.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cardoso, C., Farias, I., Costa, V., Nunes, M., & Gordo, L. (2010). Estimation of risk assessment of some heavy metals intake through black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) consumption in Portugal. Risk Analysis, 30, 952–961.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ch’i, I. C., & Blackwell, R. O. (1968). A controlled retrospective study of blackfoot disease, an endemic peripheral gangrene disease in Taiwan. American Journal of Epidemiology, 88, 7–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, P. C., & Huff, J. (1997). Arsenic carcinogenesis in animals and in humans: mechanistic, experimental, and epidemiological evidence. Environmental Carcinogenesis & Ecotoxicology Reviews, 15, 83–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. J., Chen, C. W., Wu, M. M., & Kuo, T. L. (1992). Cancer potential in liver, lung, bladder and kidney due to ingested inorganic arsenic in drinking water. British Journal of Cancer, 66(888–8), 92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, B. C., Chou, W. C., Chen, W. Y., & Liao, C. M. (2010). Assessing the cancer risk associated with arsenic-contaminated seafood. Journal of Hazardous Material, 181, 161–169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. J., Chuang, Y. C., Lin, T. M., & Wu, H. Y. (1985). Malignant neoplasms among residents of a blackfoot diseases-endemic area in Taiwan: high arsenic-artesian well water and cancers. Cancer Research, 45, 5895–5899.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • COA. (2008). Taiwan Fisheries yearbook. Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan: Taiwan. http://www.fa.gov.tw/eng/index.php.

  • EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) (2009) Scientific opinion on Arsenic in food. EFSA Journal 7(10), 1351. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1351. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu.

  • FAO/WHO. (1993). Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants; technical report series 837, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

  • Han, B. C., Jeng, W. L., Chen, R. Y., & Fang, G. Y. (1998). Estimation of target hazard quotients and potential health risk for metals by consumption of seafood in Taiwan. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 35, 711–720.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han, B. C., Jeng, W. L., Hung, T. C., Ling, Y. C., Shieh, M. J., & Chien, L. C. (2000). Estimation of metal and organochlorine pesticide exposures and potential health threat by consumption of oysters in Taiwan. Environmental Pollution, 109, 147–156.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han, B. C., Jeng, W. L., Hung, T. C., & Wen, M. Y. (1996). Relationship between copper speciation in sediments and bioaccumulation by marine bivalves of Taiwan. Environmental Pollution, 91, 35–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han, B. C., Jeng, W. L., Jeng, M. S., & Hung, T. C. (1994). Copper intake and health threat by consuming seafood from copper contamination coastal environments in Taiwan. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 13, 775–780.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsueh, Y. M., Wu, W. L., Huang, Y. L., Chiou, H. Y., Tseng, C. H., & Chen, C. J. (1998). Low serum carotene level and increased risk of ischemic heart disease related to long-term arsenic exposure. Atherosclerosis, 141, 249–257.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Y. K., Lin, K. H., Chen, H. W., Chang, C. C., Liu, C. W., Yang, M. H., et al. (2003). Arsenic species contents at aquaculture farm and in farmed mouthbreeder (Oreochromis mossambicus) in blackfoot disease hyperendemic areas. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 41, 1491–1500.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jang, C. S., Liu, C. W., Lin, K. H., Huang, F. M., & Wang, S. W. (2006). Spatial analysis of potential carcinogenic risks associated with ingesting arsenic in aquacultural tilapia (Oreochromis Mossambicus) in blackfoot disease hyperendemic areas. Environmental Science and Technology, 40, 1707–1713.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jean, J. S., Bundschuh, J., Chen, C. J., Guo, H. R., Liu, C. W., Lin, T. F., et al. (2010). The Taiwan crisis: A showcase of the global Arsenic problem (Arsenic in the Environment) (1st ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar, S., Maity, J. P., Jean, J. S., Liu, C. W., Bundschuh, J., & Lu, H. Y. (2011). Health risks for human intake of aquacultural fish: Arsenic bioaccumulation and contamination. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, 46, 1266–1273.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kesari, V. P., Kumar, A., & Khan, P. K. (2012). Genotoxic potential of arsenic at its reference dose. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 80, 126–131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J. J., Jang, C. S., Liang, C. P., & Liu, C. W. (2008). Assessing carcinogenic risks associated with ingesting arsenic in farmed smeltfish (Ayu, Plecoglossus altirelis) in aseniasis-endemic area of Taiwan. Science of the Total Environment, 403, 68–79.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang, C. P., Jang, C. S., Liu, C. W., Lin, K. H., & Lin, M. C. (2010). An integrated GIS-based approach in assessing carcinogenic risks via food-chain exposure in arsenic-affected groundwater areas. Environmental Toxicology, 25, 113–123. doi:10.1002/tox.20481.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang, C. P., Liu, C. W., Jang, C. S., Wang, S. W., & Lee, J. J. (2011). Assessing and managing the health risk due to ingestion of inorganic arsenic from fish and shellfish farmed in blackfoot disease areas for general Taiwanese. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 186, 622–628.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liao, C. M., Chen, B. C., Singh, S., Lin, M. C., Liu, C. W., & Han, B. C. (2002). Arsenic bioaccumulation and toxicity in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) from blackfood disease area in Taiwan. Environmental Toxicology, 18, 252–259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao, C. M., & Ling, M. P. (2003). Assessment of human health risk for arsenic bioaccumulation in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and large-scale mullet (Liza macrolepis) from blackfoot disease area in Taiwan. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 45, 264–272.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liao, C. M., Shen, H. H., Lin, T. L., Chen, S. C., Chen, C. L., Hsu, L. I., et al. (2008). Arsenic cancer risks posed to human health in Taiwan from tilapia consumption. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 70, 27–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, M. C., & Liao, C. M. (2008). Assessing the risks on human health associated with inorganic arsenic intake from groundwater-cultured milkfish in southwestern Taiwan. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46, 701–709.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, M. C., Liao, C. M., Liu, C. W., & Sing, S. (2001). Bioaccumulation of arsenic in aquacultural large-scale mullet Liza macrolepis from blackfoot disease area in Taiwan. Bulletin Contaminant Toxicology, 67, 91–97.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C. W., Huang, Y. K., Hsueh, Y. M., Lin, K. H., Jang, C. S., & Huang, L. P. (2008). Spatiotemporal distribution of arsenic species of oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in the coastal area of southwestern Taiwan. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 138, 181–190.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C. W., Liang, C. P., Huang, F. M., & Hsueh, Y. M. (2006). Assessing the human health risks from exposure of inorganic arsenic through Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) consumption in Taiwan. Science of the Total Environmental, 361, 57–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C. W., Liang, C. P., Lin, K. H., Jang, C. S., Wang, S. W., Huang, Y. K., et al. (2007). Bioaccumulation of arsenic compounds in aquacultural clams (Meretrix lusoria) and assessment of potential carcinogenic risks to human health by ingestion. Chemosphere, 69, 128–134.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nriagu, J. O. (2002). Arsenic poison through the ages. In W. T. Frankenberger Jr (Ed.), Environmental chemistry of arsenic (pp. 1–26). New York: Marcel Dekker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paustenbach, D. J. (2000). The practice of exposure assessment: A state-of-the-art review. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B Critical Reviews, 3, 179–291.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruffle, B., Burmaster, D. E., Anderson, P. D., & Gordon, H. D. (1994). Lognormal distributions for fish consumption by the general U.S. population. Risk Analysis, 14, 395–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rupp, E., Miller, F., & Baes, C. (1980). Some results of recent survey of the fish, and shellfish consumption by age, regions of some US residents. Health Physics, 39, 165–174.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S. (2001). A physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics model for arsenic accumulation in aquaculture fish from blackfood disease area, Taiwan. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. National Taiwan University.

  • Smedley, P. L., & Kinnniburgh, D. G. (2002). A review of the source behavior and distribution of arsenic in natural waters. Applied Geochemistry, 17, 517–568.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tseng, W. P., Chu, H. M., How, S. W., Fong, J. M., Lin, C. S., & Yeh, S. (1968). Prevalence of skin cancer in an endemic area of chronic arsenicism in Taiwan. Journal of National Cancer Institute, 40, 453–463.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tseng, C. H., Tai, T. Y., Chong, C. K., Tseng, C. P., Lai, M. S., Lin, B. J., et al. (2000). Long-term arsenic exposure and incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: A cohort study in arseniasis-hyperendemic villages Taiwan. Environmental Health Perspectives, 108, 847–851.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • USEPA. (2006). USEPA region III risk-based concentration table: Technical background information, http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/rbc/rbc1006.pdf.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the National Science Council of the Republic of China for their financial support of this work under Contract Nos. NSC 98-2313-B-008-002-MY3 and NSC-96-2313-B-242-001.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, 831, Taiwan, ROC

    Ching-Ping Liang

  2. Department of Leisure and Recreation Management, Kainan University, Luzhu, 338, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC

    Cheng-Shin Jang

  3. Graduate Institute of Applied Geology, National Central University, Jhongli, 330, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC

    Jui-Sheng Chen

  4. Agricultural Engineering Research Center, Jhongli, 320, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC

    Sheng-Wei Wang

  5. Water Resources Bureau, Taichung City Government, Taichung, 400, Taiwan, ROC

    Jin-Jing Lee

  6. Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106, Taiwan, ROC

    Chen-Wuing Liu

Authors
  1. Ching-Ping Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cheng-Shin Jang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jui-Sheng Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sheng-Wei Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jin-Jing Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Chen-Wuing Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chen-Wuing Liu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liang, CP., Jang, CS., Chen, JS. et al. Probabilistic health risk assessment for ingestion of seafood farmed in arsenic contaminated groundwater in Taiwan. Environ Geochem Health 35, 455–464 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-012-9507-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-012-9507-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation