Because they are nonbiodegradable, heavy metals can accumulate in the living tissues along the food chain, reaching humans mainly through food. Swimming crabs and other organisms which feed on organic matter that is present in aquatic systems can ingest high loads of these toxic elements; hence, they pose a potential risk to the health of regional populations. This work involved a quantitative analysis of Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu in blue crab specimens of the genus Callinectes sp. (n = 144) collected along the Cubatão river, using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS). Except for Cr, whose average value exceeded the limit allowed for any type of food by Brazilian regulations, all the other elements fell below the maximum content recommended by health agencies. This paper also discusses the contribution of crab meat consumed by the population to the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) suggested by the World Health Organization.
heavy metal; contamination; blue crab; Callinectes sp.; atomic absorption spectrometry
