Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish: Optimisation and validation of microwave-assisted extraction

► Optimisation of an accurate and simple method for analysis of 18 PAHs in fish. ► Naphthalene, fluorene and phenanthrene were detected in three commonly consumed fish species. ► Naphthalene classified as possible carcinogenic to humans was the predominant compound. ► Naphthalene intake reaches 0.0014 μg/kg b.w. per day for world per capita consumption. ► None of the samples contained detectable amounts of benzo[a]pyrene.