MERCURY LEVELS IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OF MT AMIATA (TUSCANY, ITALY)

This work assesses mercury in agricultural products of Mt. Amiata (cen tral Italy), an area characterized by the presence of important HgS de posits, and by intense mercury mining and smelting activities in the p ast. The results show that at some sampling stations the Hg contents i n vegetables, meat, and other products were high. The relations betwee n agricultural products, soil and air mercury concentrations are discu ssed, and consideration is given to possible dangers to human health f or residents of the Mt. Amiata area.