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This study investigates the potential health risks associated with consuming mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) from the Romanian Black Sea coast between 2001 and 2023. The research focuses on heavy metal (copper, cadmium, lead, nickel, and chromium) bioaccumulation in mussels and the associated human health hazards. While most metals fell within safe limits, lead and cadmium exceeded the maximum admissible concentrations set by the European Commission in a small percentage of samples (10% for cadmium, 14% for lead). To assess human health risks, we calculated dietary intake estimates and hazard quotients. These calculations suggested that current metal concentrations in the mussels are unlikely to cause adverse health effects at typical consumption levels. Although current metal concentrations seem safe based on estimated intake and hazard quotients, we emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of pollutants in seafood to ensure consumer safety. Future research should consider the cumulative effects of various contaminants and how individual factors like age and health conditions might influence risk. Public health protection requires continuous monitoring, comprehensive risk assessments, and transparent communication between scientists, policymakers, and the public to establish safe consumption guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was to assess the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in some mollusks and fish species, collected during the summer of 2016–2018, from three sites representing the southern, middle, and northern areas of the Romanian Black Sea coast. The PAHs concentrations were determined from the edible tissues of some important seafood (Rapana venosa and Mytilus galloprovincialis mollusk species; Sprattus sprattus, Engraulis encrasicolus, and Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus pelagic fish species and Neogobius cephalarges benthic fish species). The PAHs were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The average concentrations of these PAHs ranged from below detection limit of 0.0001 to 103.09 ± 11.18 µg/kg wet wt. in mollusk species, from 0.0001 to 147.45 ± 9.28 µg/kg wet wt. in pelagic fish species and from 0.0001 to 45.73 ± 5.28 µg/kg in benthic fish species. Among the two mollusks species, Rapana venosa accumulated significantly higher concentrations (p < 0.05) of PAHs, while among fish species, Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus accumulated significantly higher concentrations (p < 0.05) of total PAHs. Total PAH concentrations varied between the sites; the main presence of PAHs was observed in site 2 (middle location), the major contribution being given by the presence of phenanthrene (Ph), anthracene (An), and naphthalene (Na). PAHs contents in organisms varied according to the different species, their location in the water, their feeding habits (pelagic and benthic organisms) and differences in the quantification of LMW and HMW PAHs. PAH distribution patterns in pelagic and mollusk species are characterized by the abundance of LMW-PAHs. Most of the PAHs had a petrogenic origin, which indicates that the anthropogenic activities influenced PAH concentrations. Apart from Neogobius cephalarges species, the benzo[a]pyrene concentrations, measured in mollusks and fish species did not exceed the EU recommended limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]