Determination of heavy metals in fish products

Cadmium, lead and mercury contents in fish were studied. Fresh and frozen fish from 17 FAO localities were bought in Czech markets. Atomic absorption spectrometry technique was used for determination of cadmium, lead and mercury concentration. Ten samples exceeded the maximum permissible limit for mercury (0.5 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg for selected fish species) and three fish samples exceeded the maximum limit for cadmium (0.05 mg/kg) set by Commission Regulation (EU) No1881/2006. The limit of lead concentration (0.3 mg/kg) was not exceeded in any fish sample. This study shows that fish samples of marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius) are one of the most contaminated fish which can pose a great risk for human health after consumption. Because mercury and cadmium contents in some samples were higher than maximum limits recommended by FAO/WHO, our research led to withdraw of some batches of the fish from the Czech markets.