Metal pollution of the sea is less visible and direct than other types of marine pollution but its effects on marine ecosystems and humans are intense and very extensive. The toxic effects of lead have been broadly studied (Narvaes, 2002). The concentrations of lead obtained in this study are less than 2.0 lg g1 wet weight threshold limit set by the World Health Organisation (WHO, 1996). The low concentrations of lead in the canned fishes
analyzed suggest that the exposure of the general public to lead through the consumption of canned fish is not significant.