Abstract: In order to quantify the dietary exposure of the population of Jiangsu province to cadmium from crayfish (Procambarus clarkia), the cadmium content of crayfish was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Further, on the basis of the analytical data obtained and taking into account the dietary intake of cadmium in the population of Jiangsu province, the dietary exposure to cadmium from crayfish and the health risk associated with dietary cadmium exposure were evaluated by point estimate and probabilistic assessment. The results showed that the average cadmium content of 705 crayfish samples was 0.068 mg/kg, and two (0.28%) of them were found to exceed the maximum allowable limit. The results of point estimate indicated that the mean, 75 quantile and 90 quantile of the estimated dietary chronic to cadmium from crayfish accounted for 0.07%, 0.05%, and 0.32% of provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI), respectively. The results of probabilistic assessment showed that the mean, 75 quantile and 90 quantile of the estimated dietary cadmium intake accounted for 0.08%, 0.10% and 0.21% of PTMI and dietary cadmium intake was safe for 91.6% of people in Jiangsu. Overall, the dietary exposure of the population of Jiangsu province to cadmium from crayfish was at a safe level, and the total dietary intake of cadmium will not increase by long-term consumption of crayfish.

Key words: Jiangsu, crayfish (Procambarus clarkia), cadmium, risk, exposure