Metals in highly consumed fish from markets of the Mexican Pacific coast

Levels of cadmium, copper, mercury, lead and zinc in fish from the Mexican Pacific are of interest because they are marine resources of great commercial value and high human consumption. To determine these data, fishes were sampled in the markets of the main cities along the Mexican Pacific coast, and the edible muscles were analysed using Atomic Adsorption Spectrometry. The results in the following commercial fishes were: Mugil spp. Cd 0.67 ± 0.15, Cu 0.53 ± 0.13, Hg 0.04 ± 0.01, Zn 10.9 ± 4.2; Oreochromis spp. Cd 0.70 ± 0.13, Cu 0.44 ± 0.10, Hg 0.06 ± 0.03, Zn 9.4 ± 3.9; Lutjanus spp. Cd 0.62 ± 0.11, Cu 0.38 ± 0.24, Hg 0.18 ± 0.12, Zn 8.1 ± 3.4; and sharks Cd 0.64 ± 0.07, Cu 0.51 ± 0.12, Hg 0.39 ± 0.23, Zn 8.2 ± 3.0 mg/kg ww. Cadmium content in fish from the Mexican Pacific coast was higher than the maximum limit, according to Mexican standards. Mercury levels complied with Mexican legislation and lead levels were below the limit of detection.