Lab comparisons reveal consistency in fish heavy metal testing
Friday 26th November 2010
Any scientist in a dietician job is likely to have been reassured by an international interlaboratory comparison of test results to establish the level of heavy metals in seafood.
More than 50 laboratories from 29 countries took part in the study, which was intended to compare accuracy of findings between labs.
The findings are important because heavy metals in fish is regulated by EU law, so will affect wider public confidence in these methods while also establishing whether or not current processes are effective.
All 57 labs reported results, with satisfactory scores ranging between 80 per cent and 96 per cent, although participants were found to underestimate the arsenic levels and also that of cadmium.
The European Commission has had specific requirements for the testing of lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin, 3-MCPD and benzo(a)pyrene in foodstuffs in place since 2007.
However, researchers note there is no specific maximum level for the specific form of mercury known as methylmercury, which requires specific analytical equipment not often found in labs.
Written by Martin Lambert
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