Abstract:In order to evaluate the status of heavy metal pollution of shellfish, the effects of exposure to Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, methylmercury(MeHg) and inorganic arsenic via consumption of oysters, razor clams and blood clams after boiling process, pollution index (Pi) and target hazard quotient (THQs) were measured in three marine seashells collected from three primary culturing areas. The concentration of heavy metal pollution in oysters was higher than razor clams and blood clams, and the metal Cu and Cd were the main pollution factors. With the total concentrations, the pollution index for Pb and Cd were 4.6675 and 1.0601, respectively, and the integrated pollution index, reached the maximum value of 7.6552, which means there is severe pollution among seashells. Bioaccessibility of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, methylmercury(MeHg) and inorganic arsenic was predicted for edible cooked flesh of marine seashells by use of an in vitro gastrointestinal assay, ranging from 1.1975% to 69.5775%. Based on total concentrations, diets of 77.78% exceeded the reference dose(THQs>1), but when bioaccessibility was considered, consumption of oysters in three culturing areas and the razor clams in Xiangshan districts exceeded the reference dose of THQs (THQs>1), which suggests that the long-term consumption of oysters exists certain health risks to human being. Furthermore, it can also be concluded that the harm of heavy metals to human body: Cd > inorganic arsenic > Cu > Pb > methylmercury > Cr. The study providing more reliable scientific evaluation of heavy metals on human health.