Total mercury levels in canned tuna fish commercialized at the Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil

The present study investigated the mercury levels in canned tuna fish, commercialized in the Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil. Thirty nine samples from five different makers were analyzed by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that 53% of the samples presented levels above the WHO (World Health Organization) recommended value, and only one from the five suppliers presented all their samples below this level. Such results indicate that it urges a better quality control for this food.