CADMIUM AND LEAD CONTENT IN FRESH AND CANNED PEAS

Cadmium and lead in raw, blanched and canned peas were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The daily intake of cadmium and lead from peas in Spain was evaluated. The cadmium content of the peas ranged from less than 0.004 to 0.015-mu-g g-1, whereas the lead content varied from 0.049 to 0.223-mu-g g-1. The concentration of both elements was compared at different stages of the process. Statistically significant differences were found in the lead levels as a function of size and the different stages of the canning process. The mean level of cadmium and lead (0.01-mu-g g-1 and 0.092-mu-g g-1 respectively) could account for a daily intake of 0.1-mu-g day-1 for cadmium and 1.1-mu-g day-1 for lead.