[Content of mercury and other elements in samples of canned tunafish (author's transl)]

On the basis of the several studies recently published on the concentration of Hg and other heavy elements in seafish and especially tunafish a work as been carried out to determine the intake due to canned tunafish for the italian population. Instrumental activation analysis has been applied to tunafish canned samples avaible on the market in Rome. The following trace elements have been measured: Cr, Se, Hg, Cs, Fe, Zn, Co, Sb. The intake of Hg and other elements through the canned tuna foods have been evaluated on the basis of the production of such foods in Italy. The tunafish contribution to the total trace elements intakes has been determined by comparing the trace elements concentrations in the canned tunafish with those referred to diets that are representative for the italian population. The results obtained have demonstrated that the trace elements intake through the diet is not significantly influenced by the tunacanned foods intake.