Estimation of safe consuming amount of oyster based on the risk assessing theory of trace metal and organic contaminants on human health

In order to supply safety information of oyster consumption for public reference, contaminants contents in Jinjiang oyster (Crassostrea rivularis) were investigated. Samples of the animal were collected along the coast of south China in spring of 2007, and residues of some chlorinated hydrocarbons and heavy metals were measured by gas chromatograph-electron capture detector, atomic absorption spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry. An " appropriate consumption" concept was defined for the first time, and its calculating formula was derived from the calculation of margin of exposure to chemicals. Based on concentrations in oysters and reference dose of concern chemicals, presuming that exposure risk is acceptable if margin of exposure is not greater than one, we conjectured appropriate oyster consumption. It is easy to find an appropriate consumption of comestible tissue of the oyster from a certain sampling bay.