Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Total Mercury in Canned Tuna Marketed in Southest Brazil

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to determine total mercury (Hg) content in 69 canned tuna of 13 brands marketed in southwest Brazil. All values are reported in µg. g-1 wet weight basis. Potential health risk was estimated on the basis of mercury concentration and average consumption (175 g/per week) of fish in Brazil comparing to PTWI of 1.6 µg.kg-1 (FAO/WHO, 2010). A large variation in the concentration of mercury in different species was observed. Mean mercury concentration was 0.256 ± 0.215 µg.g-1 with a highest value of 1.060 µg.g-1 in a single can. In general average concentration was below the legislation of 1.0 µg.g-1 for predatory species (BRASIL, 2014). Estimate weekly intake (EWI) varied 0.2 to 1.7 µg.kg-1. For the analyzed brands and Brazilian fish consumption, no human health risk is likely to occur. However one brand was higher than PTWI of 1.6 µg.kg-1 showing no safety for specific risk group. Further studies including specific data on canned tuna consumption in specific populations will be needed as well as the fish type, fish size and fishing location.