Environmental monitoring of trace metals in edible snails Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) from Morocco: Human health risk assessment

Résumé

The continuous release of various chemicals into the environment is a major concern worldwide, as some persist in the ecosystem, leading to severe health issues.This study assessed the accumulation levels of selected trace metals (TMs), namely lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) in the edible tissues of the terrestrial snail Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES).Sampling was carried out at three stations: S1T, S2P, and S3A, located in the Mechra Bel Ksiri area, the province of Sidi Kacem.The obtained results revealed that station S3A (characterized by the highest snail density and a more intensive use of chemical products to protect artichoke crops) is more TMs-polluted than the other stations S1T and S2P.High average concentrations of the most toxic TMs examined in this study were recorded in the flesh of the snails from S3A: Pb (2.31 mg kg -1 dry weight) and Cd (2.03 mg kg -1 dry weight) exceeded the maximum admissible level recommended by the European Union (2023) for Pb (1.5 mg kg -1 ) and Cd (1 mg kg -1 ).The assessment of risks to human health in combination with dietary exposure was carried out, the calculated hazard index (HI) remained below the safety threshold of 1, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic effects linked to snail consumption.In contrast, the total cancer risk (TCR) reached a peak value of 1.02 × 10⁻⁴ at station S3A, slightly exceeding the recommended limit (1 × 10⁻⁴), suggesting a potential carcinogenic concern associated with the chronic exposure to TMs through dietary intake of contaminated snails.Therefore, regular monitoring of toxic metal levels in snails is needed to protect consumers against potential carcinogenic risks.

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