Health risk assessment of mercury exposure from freshwater fish consumption across socioeconomic groups in Poland: a toxicological analysis of specific consumption scenarios

This study aimed to assess the health risk associated with mercury (Hg) exposure resulting from the consumption of freshwater fish in Poland. The analysis focuses on differentiating risks between socioeconomic groups and a vulnerable population (children) using specific consumption scenarios. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in wild species (e.g., Esox lucius, Sander lucioperca) and farmed fish (e.g., Cyprinus carpio) were analyzed against European and global data. Dietary patterns were derived from the 2023 report by Statistics Poland (GUS), stratified by socioeconomic status (retirees, farmers, employees). The health risk was estimated using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) for chronic exposure and the percentage of Tolerable Weekly Intake (%TWI) for three consumption scenarios (S1: 150 g, S2: 300 g, S3: 450 g/week). Hg levels in Polish freshwater fish are comparable to European averages, with predatory species showing the highest bioaccumulation (Esox lucius: up to 0.45 mg/kg). Socioeconomic analysis revealed that retirees have the highest fish consumption (0.40 kg/month), resulting in the highest HQ (0.381), remaining below the safety threshold (HQ <1). However, the scenario-based analysis demonstrated that for children, even moderate consumption (S1) of predatory fish (pike, perch, zander) results in exceeding the TWI by 115–231%. While the general adult population in Poland remains at low risk of Hg toxicity, targeted dietary recommendations are urgently required for children, emphasizing the avoidance of predatory freshwater fish in favor of low-trophic species such as carp or bream.