Development, validation and accreditation of a method for the determination of Pb, Cd, Cu and As in seafood and fish feed samples

•Different approaches for the determination of Pb, Cd, Cu and As in seafood were investigated.•The method was validated and accredited.•Calculation of the method’s uncertainty was performed.•The method was applied in 202 seafoods and 275 fish feed samples.•The seasonal and eight-year variation for the elements were studied.

A rapid, sensitive, accurate and precise method for the determination of Pb, Cd, As and Cu in seafood and fish feed samples by Simultaneous Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry was developed in regard to Council Directive 333/2007EC and ISO/IEC 17025 (2005). Different approaches were investigated in order to shorten the analysis time, always taking into account the sensitivity. For method validation, precision (repeatability and reproducibility) and accuracy by addition recovery tests have been assessed as performance criteria. The expanded uncertainties based on the Eurachem/Citac Guidelines were calculated. The method was accredited by the Hellenic Accreditation System and it was applied for an 8 years study in seafood (n = 202) and fish feeds (n = 275) from the Greek market. The annual and seasonal variation of the elemental content and correlation among the elemental content in fish feeds and the respective fish samples were also accomplished.

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