The levels of trace metals in fish samples widely used in Japanese cuisine (porgy, salmon, snook and tuna) marketed in São Paulo were determined and assessed for their quality by comparing element levels in samples with maximum permitted levels stipulated by different agencies and organizations. The result from this study suggested that differences existed in the element concentrations even within the same fish species.
Four species assessed in this study have not shown Cd, Pb and Hg concentration levels above the limit established by the Brazilian law; however, for As and Cr all species have demonstrated concentrations above permitted levels (except for Cr in salmon), which is compliant with results obtained in other studies.
Inorganic contaminants that have mostly contributed to achieve provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) values were As and Hg; of note, As contaminant in porgy was 222% PTWI. For Hg the highest contribution has occurred in tuna, with 41% PTWI.
It is extremely important to know the origin of the fish intended for the consumer market, since the quality of fish depends on the sea environment, fish feed, catching place, age, among other factors that may significantly influence on the levels of inorganic contaminants in fish. More research and assessments of seafood quality is needed to provide more data and help safeguard the health of humans and furthermore a study of speciation of arsenic is important since the different chemical forms of this element present different toxicity levels.