Mercury, lead and cadmium content of fresh and canned fish collected from Austrian retail operations

Ninety-three samples of fresh and canned fish (edible part) collected from Lower Austria, Burgenland and from Viennese retail operations were analysed for mercury, lead and cadmium. The mercury contents ranged from <0,01 (limit of determination) to 0,89 mg/kg with a mean value of 0,14 mg/kg. The highest mercury contents were measured in Escolar (mean value of 0,63 mg/kg), followed by Swordfish (mean value of 0,42 mg/kg) and Halibut (mean value of 0,29 mg/kg). The lead contents ranged from <0,02 (limit of determination) to 1,0 mg/kg with a mean value of 0,033 mg/ kg. The highest lead contents were measured in Anchovy (mean 0,15 mg/kg). The cadmium contents ranged from <0,01 (limit of determination) to 0,12 mg/kg with a mean value of 0,014 mg/kg. The highest cadmium contents were measured in Swordfish (mean value 0,046 mg/kg).