Consumer health risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in the Ecuadorian red mangrove crab
De Cock, A.; De Clercq, K.; Pensaert, E.; Groffen, T.; JACXSENS, L.; Dominguez-Granda, L.; Bervoets, L.; Goethals, P. (2025). Consumer health risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in the Ecuadorian red mangrove crab. Food Chemistry 492: 145450. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145450
In: Food Chemistry. Elsevier: London. ISSN 0308-8146; e-ISSN 1873-7072, more
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| Author keywords |
Human health risk assessment;Mangrove reserves;Environmental contaminants;Emerging pollutants;Aquatic biota;Guayas estuary;Ecuador;perfluoroalkyl substances;aquatic environment |
| Authors | | Top |
- De Cock, A., more
- De Clercq, K.
- Pensaert, E.
- Groffen, T., more
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- JACXSENS, L.
- Dominguez-Granda, L.
- Bervoets, L.
- Goethals, P.
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| Abstract |
Anthropogenic pollutant accumulation is a concern in Ecuador's Guayas Estuary. In this study, we investigated per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the meat of the red mangrove crab (Ucides occidentalis), an Ecuadorian commercial food product. This study examined contaminant levels in crabs from two mangrove reserves and assessed associated health risks to consumers. The presence of 8 PFAS was found in the crabmeat: PFBA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFDA, PFDoDA, PFEESA, PF4OPeA, and 6:2 FTS. Pyrene was detected in 64 % of the samples, with an average concentration of 0.0061 ng/g ww. The concentrations of all PFAS and PAH compounds were found to be similar across the two mangrove reserves. PFOA and PFDA levels in crabs led to exposures exceeding US EPA RfD values, with Hazard Quotients of 8.76 and 1.58, indicating potential health risks for consumers. These findings can support health, ecosystem, and policy improvements globally. |
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