Accumulation of heavy metals to assess the health status of swordfish in a comparative analysis of Mediterranean and Atlantic areas

► The study analyzes the levels of Pb, Hg, and Cd in Xiphias gladius in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. ► Muscle fragments were used to monitor the levels of accumulation of heavy metals in sword fish. ► Larger individuals have shown higher levels of concentration of heavy metal. ► The average concentration of Cd did not exceed the maximum level set by EC. ► As for Pb and Hg, the analyzed individual showed concentrations that exceed the maximum level set.