BaselinePolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish from St Helena, South Atlantic, in relation to an historic wreck

- Oil has been seeping from a World War II tanker sunk off St Helena.
- PAHs have been determined in fish to assess the risk to human consumers.
- Summed PAH concentrations were low, 2.2 to 20 μg kg−1 wet weight.
- Toxic equivalency concentrations, as benzo[a]pyrene equivalents, were also very low.
- No risks to consumers or a need for fishery controls were identified by this study.

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in edible tissues of fish species consumed by the islanders of St Helena to assess any risk to human health posed by oil leaking from an historic wreck. Samples were collected from the vicinity of the wreck site and at two reference locations at which fishing activity occurs. Summed PAH concentrations ranged from 2.2 to 20 μg kg−1 wet weight, and no PAHs with more than 4 fused rings were detected. All concentrations of the four PAH used as a basis for assessment in relation to health risks to human consumers of foods within the EU (benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and chrysene) were <0.1 μg kg−1 wet weight and raised no concerns. Additionally, concentrations were calculated as the benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalency quotient and found to be well below the level of concern (0 to 0.05 μg kg−1 wet weight benzo[a]pyrene equivalents).