Abstract:

In this paper, based on the data of cadmium content in shellfish from sample survey, hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment and risk characterization were carried out for assessing the hazard and pollution levels of cadmium in domestic shellfish. Although the contents of cadmium in surveyed shellfish samples exceeded the national standard, the results of risk assessment showed that the theoretical most weekly intake (TMWI) of the eating crowd was lower than provisional tolerated weekly intake (PTWI) posed by JECFA, so there is little possibility that eating surveyed shellfish species will harm human health. The hazard analysis is followed by exploring the cadmium limit in shellfish published in the current national standards, which can provide some information for the adjustment of the national standards and useful guidance for shellfish consumption.

Key words: shellfish, cadmium, hazard analysis, pollution level, limit standard