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The rising consumption of crayfish may lead to the accumulation of essential and toxic trace elements, but relative health risk via crayfish ingestion is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the concentrations and health risks of eight trace elements in crayfish from five different provinces in China, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and selenium (Se). The results showed that trace element levels in crayfish abdominal muscle samples were below limits set by the Chinese food safety standard, whereas 87.9% (51/58) of hepatopancreas samples exceeded the limits. Trace elements in hepatopancreas were generally more abundant than in abdominal muscle (P < 0.001). The highest target hazard quotient (THQ) of As, Cd and Cu in hepatopancreas were 4.589, 1.268 and 1.380, respectively. The probabilistic risk assessment showed that the 95th percentile of THQ value for As in hepatopancreas was 3.240. These findings implied that consuming crayfish hepatopancreas may have a non-carcinogenic health risk. Thus, protective measures should be carried out to reduce trace elements pollution in crayfish cultivating regions. [Display omitted] • Trace element concentrations in hepatopancreas were higher than in muscle. • Trace elements in 87.9% of hepatopancreas in crayfish exceeded the allowance. • Arsenic, cadmium and copper in crayfish hepatopancreas may pose considerable risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Accumulation of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Se in crayfish of China was assessed. • Concentrations of the five elements in muscle were lower than those in hepatopancreas. • Se is highly enriched in the investigated crayfish, carp and crab. • Humans can obtain sufficient Se by consuming crayfish, carp and crab. The red swamp crayfish is an important aquatic food for humans. In this study, the accumulation of trace elements, such as manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) in the hepatopancreas, abdominal muscle, and exoskeleton of red swamp crayfish from four regions in China were investigated. The mean concentrations of Mn (21.01 mg/kg) and Fe (34.85 mg/kg) in the abdominal muscle were remarkably lower than those in the hepatopancreas (236.07 mg/kg and 2517.94 mg/kg) and exoskeleton (274.67 mg/kg and 111.34 mg/kg). The mean concentrations of Cu (19.62 mg/kg), Zn (73.95 mg/kg), and Se (1.04 mg/kg) in the abdominal muscle were remarkably higher than those (16.52 mg/kg, 21.79 mg/kg, 0.38 mg/kg) in the exoskeleton and lower than those (116.85 mg/kg, 124.74 mg/kg, 2.56 mg/kg) in the hepatopancreas, respectively. The concentrations of Cu (23.56 mg/kg) and Se (1.12 mg/kg) in the abdominal muscle of crayfish from the Ensi region were higher those in the other three regions. There was a highly significant positive correlation between the concentrations of Cu and Se in crayfish and those in the environment (r ≥ 0.68, P < 0.01). In addition, Se could be specifically enriched in the red swamp crayfish, and a similar situation was found in bighead carp and Chinese mitten crabs. These results highlight the level of intake of essential elements by humans. Importantly, the consumption of the abdominal muscles of crayfish does not result in the overdose of the five essential elements. Therefore, these findings provide new insights into food nutrition and safety control for the consumption of crayfish and other freshwater animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]