The Monitoring Program for the Quality of Toxic Waters, Mollusks and Phytoplankton in the Seafood Production Areas of the Catalan Coast (PSQAM) executes the analysis for the determination of chemical contaminants (metals, dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls) and aromatic hydrocarbons polycyclic through the different collaborations and agreements with laboratories accredited by ENAC to comply with the requirements of analytical quality and current legislation.

Heavy metals

Heavy metal limits (Regulation (EC) 1881/2006)

Mercury: 0.5 mg/kg (or 0,5 ppm) (Fishery products. Includes bivalve mollusks and gastropods)

Cadmium: 1 mg/kg (or 1 ppm) (Bivalve mollusks)

Lead: 1.5 mg/kg (or 1,5 ppm) (Bivalve mollusks)

Dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls similar to dioxins (DL-PCBs) and polychlorinated biphenyls not similar to dioxins (NDL-PCBs).

Dioxin and dioxin-like PCB limits (Regulation (EU) 1259/2011)

<3.5 pg WHO-TEQ/g fresh weight (toxic equivalents according to the World Health Organization) for the sum of dioxins, applicable to fishery products and derivatives.

<6.5 pg WHO-TEQ/g fresh weight for the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, applicable to fishery products and derivatives.

Limit of organohalogenated compounds (PCBs markers)

From January 1, 2012 (Regulation (EU) No 1259/2011):

Monitoring of organohalogenated compounds (PCBs markers) (sum of PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB138, PCB153 and PCB180) is mandatory, with an MPL of 75 ng/g fresh weight and 40ng/g in animal feed.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Limit of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

From September 1, 2012 (Regulation (EU) No 835/2011):

Benzo(a)pyrene <5.0 µg/kg fresh weight (bivalve mollusks)

Sum of benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluorantene and Chrysene <30.0 mg/kg fresh weight (bivalve mollusks)

Collaborating Laboratories

Institute of Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies (IDAEA-CSIC): Analysis of dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls similar to dioxins in bivalve mollusks. ENAC accredited. Collaboration through an agreement with IRTA.

Agrifood Laboratory (LAC) – Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Food and Natural Environment of the Generalitat of Catalonia: Analysis of heavy metals. ENAC accredited. Collaboration through an agreement with IRTA.

Public Health Agency of Barcelona (ASPB): analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including benzo (a) pyrene. ENAC accredited.