A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Lead Concentrations in Fish: Implications for Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment

Abstract

This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively evaluate lead (Pb) accumulation levels in edible fish tissues and the potential health risks associated with dietary exposure. A systematic search was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and out of an initial 500 studies, only 95 met the inclusion criteria. Studies published after 2015, presenting tissue-specific Pb data from fish samples, were included. The weighted mean Pb concentration was calculated using a random-effects model, and inter-study heterogeneity was assessed (τ², Q-statistic). Health risk assessment was conducted using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) based on USEPA parameters. The overall weighted mean Pb concentration was 0.37 µg/g (95% CI: 0.32–0.41). THQ values varied by region, with several liver tissue samples exceeding the acceptable risk threshold (THQ ≥ 1). High heterogeneity among studies was attributed to variations in environmental contamination, fish species, and methodological approaches. These findings highlight the necessity for stricter monitoring of Pb residues in fish, especially in regions exposed to industrial and agricultural pollution, and call for region-specific regulatory updates. This study provides a robust global-scale statistical assessment of lead contamination in the aquatic food chain, aiming to inform and support food safety and public health policy development.

Keywords

• Lead contamination
• Fish tissue
• Risk assessment
• THQ (Target Hazard Quotient)
• Meta-analysis

Balıklardaki Kurşun Konsantrasyonlarına İlişkin Sistematik Derleme ve Meta-Analiz: Diyetle Alım ve Risk Değerlendirmesine Etkileri

Abstract

Bu meta-analiz, yenilebilir balık dokularında kurşun (Pb) birikim düzeylerini ve bu birikimin diyet yoluyla insan sağlığı üzerindeki olası risklerini kapsamlı şekilde değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. PRISMA 2020 kılavuzuna uygun olarak yürütülen sistematik tarama sonucunda, başlangıçta belirlenen 500 çalışmadan yalnızca 95’i belirlenen dahil etme kriterlerini karşılamıştır. Yalnızca 2015 sonrası yayımlanmış, dokuya özgü Pb verisi sunan ve balık örneklerini içeren çalışmalar analiz kapsamına alınmıştır. Ağırlıklı ortalama Pb düzeyi rassal etkiler modeliyle hesaplanmış ve çalışmalar arası heterojenlik (τ², Q-istatistiği) değerlendirilmiştir. Sağlık risk değerlendirmesi ise USEPA parametrelerine dayalı olarak Hedef Tehlike Katsayısı (THQ) yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Toplam ağırlıklı ortalama Pb düzeyi 0.37 µg/g olarak bulunmuştur (95% GA: 0.32–0.41). THQ değerleri bölgelere göre değişiklik göstermiş, özellikle karaciğer dokusuna ait örneklerde birçok ülkenin kabul edilebilir risk sınırını (THQ ≥ 1) aştığı belirlenmiştir. Çalışmalar arası heterojenlik oldukça yüksek olup, bu durum çevresel kirlilik düzeyi, tür farklılıkları ve metodolojik çeşitlilik gibi etkenlerle ilişkilidir. Bu bulgular, başta endüstriyel ve tarımsal kirliliğe maruz kalan bölgelerde olmak üzere, balıklardaki Pb kalıntılarının daha sıkı izlenmesi ve mevzuatın bölgesel koşullara göre güncellenmesi gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu çalışma, sucul gıda zincirindeki kurşun kirliliğine dair küresel düzeyde istatistiksel açıdan güçlü ve bilimsel bir değerlendirme sunarak, gıda güvenliği ve halk sağlığı politikalarının şekillendirilmesine katkı sağlamayı hedeflemektedir.

Keywords

• Kurşun kontaminasyonu
• Balık dokusu
• Risk değerlendirmesi
• THQ (Hedef Tehlike Katsayısı)
• Meta-analiz

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