APMP.QM-S19: Toxic elements in seafood

Abstract

Seafood is one of the major food resources for human consumption in the world. The CODEX Alimentarius Commission and many jurisdictions have set maximum levels of metallic contaminants in seafood. The use of reliable methods for measurement of metallic contaminants is important in safeguarding the quality of these products and public health.The Supplementary Comparison APMP.QM-S19: Toxic Elements in Seafood was coordinated by the Government Laboratory, Hong Kong, China (GLHK). Four measurands (arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead) in seafood were chosen. The last CCQM or RMO key comparison / supplementary comparison in the area of metallic contaminants in seafood was organized by GLHK in 2011 (APMP.QM-S5). Hence, it was timely to organize another comparison that covers different measurands. This Supplementary Comparison (APMP.QM-S19) offers different analytical challenges (e.g. in analysis of mercury and a different range of measurands) as compared to the previous comparison. Moreover, it enabled National Metrology Institutes / Designated Institutes (NMIs/DIs) that did not participate in the previous comparisons to demonstrate their measurement competencies.Nineteen institutes participated in APMP.QM-S19. Most participating NMIs/DIs employed microwave-assisted acid digestion for sample dissolution. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), including triple quadrupole and sector field, were the most commonly used instrumental techniques. Results of all participating NMIs/DIs were evaluated against the supplementary comparison reference value (SCRV). The SCRV and associated uncertainty were determined from results of NMIs/DIs that participated in the supplementary comparison using methods with demonstrated metrological traceability. Median was used as estimator of the SCRVs. For arsenic, the SCRV was 1.342 mg/kg calculated from 15 participating NMIs/DIs. For arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead, the SCRVs were 1.342 mg/kg, 0.3630 mg/kg, 0.1230 mg/kg and 0.4101 mg/kg, respectively, calculated from 15, 14, 13 and 11 participating NMIs/DIs.Participating NMIs/DIs that have successfully participated in APMP.QM-S19 have demonstrated measurement capabilities in determining inorganic elements, in a mass fraction range from 0.02 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg in high organic content matrix, including seafood of animal origin and high protein food.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).