The content of cadmium and lead in canned fish available in the Polish market

The study aimed to verify whether canned fish available in Poland were safe in terms of Cd and Pb content. The content of Cd and Pb was examined in 25 products using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS). The examined canned fish contained from nearly 0.2 to 1.7 μg Cd and from ca. 0.02 μg to ca. 7.9 μg per 100 g of the product. The content of both Cd and Pb was found to be higher in canned salmon and tuna. It was found that consumption of canned fish acute posed no hazard to adult men. Consuming 1 canned fish a week will result in an intake of Cd amounting to a maximum of 0.8 % TWI, and of Pb amounting to a maximum of 3.5 % BMDL10 and 1.23 % BMDL01. The levels of Cd and Pb in canned fish do not exceed safe levels for men.