Danger on the Plate: Human health risks derived from the consumption of Angular Angelshark (Squatina guggenheim) meat in Southeastern Brazil

Amanda Pontes Lopes¹Rebeca Dias Coutinho¹Tatiana Dillenburg Saint’Pierre²Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis^1*

• ¹Chemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brazil
• ²Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Shark and ray species are particularly vulnerable to pollutant bioaccumulation, such as metals and metalloids, due to their k-strategist characteristics and mid-to high-trophic level. The Angular Angelshark (Squatina guggenheim), is a benthic and highly endangered species distributed from southeastern Brazil to southern Argentina. It is highly caught as bycatch in southeastern Brazil and, although highly threatened with extinction and banned from marketing and consumption in the country, it is still highly consumed in Brazil. Studies on metal and metalloid meat contamination for this species, however, are not available in Brazil to date. In this sense, this study aimed to determine metal and metalloid contamination levels in this species and assess human health risks derived from its consumption for four human age groups (infants, children, teenagers and adults) considering consumption frequencies ranging from one to five times a week. Metal and metalloid concentrations in the muscle of Angular Angelshark specimens were generally lower than those observed in other benthic Squatinidae family species, except for Pb and Rb. Several elements are reported herein for the first time for this species, establishing baseline data in this sense. Despite the favorable balance between Se and Hg, indicating a possible protective effect, several other toxic and potentially toxic elements were detected in Angular Angelshark meat, indicating significant human health risks, especially for infants and children. Arsenic concentrations exceeded safety limits established by the Brazilian authority, while other elements such as Ti and Rb were detected at relatively high levels, although no safety limits have yet been established for these elements. Estimated Intake Values and non-carcinogenic risk indices (THQ and HI) exceeded the safety limits for As (particularly concerning the inorganic As 10% fraction), Cu, MeHg and Se in different scenarios, with emphasis on As, whose values exceeded the safety limit by up to 415 times, even at reduced consumption frequencies. Regarding Carcinogenic Risks (CR), As and Pb are noteworthy, with values above the acceptable level for various age groups. These findings reinforce the need for continuous monitoring and caution in the consumption of benthic elasmobranchs, mainly by more susceptible populations, such as infants and children.