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Shah AQ, Kazi TG, Afridi HI, Arain MB. A population assessment of mercury exposure from two cities of Pakistan with respect to freshwater and marine fish consumption. Toxicol Ind Health 2014; 32:1033-41. [DOI: 10.1177/0748233714545503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to estimate the level of mercury (Hg) in scalp hair samples of human subjects and its association with consumption of sea- and freshwater fish species. The scalp hairs were collected from both genders (male and female) aged between 15 and 50 years ( n = 200), living in coastal areas of Karachi, who mostly consumed sea fish species, referred to as exposed subjects. For comparison purposes, scalp hair samples of both genders ( n = 160) were collected from the inhabitants of Karachi and Hyderabad cities who consumed freshwater fish species termed as referent subjects. The frequently consumed fresh and marine fish species were also collected. The level of Hg was determined in fish and scalp hair samples by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, prior to ultrasonic-assisted acid digestion in a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The validity of methodology was checked by certified reference material (CRM) BCR 397 (human hair) and DORM-2. The concentrations of Hg in sea- and freshwater fish were found in the range of 1.47–2.09 and 0.402–0.676 μg/g, respectively. The exposed subjects had significantly elevated levels of Hg in scalp hair samples (1.8–4.3 μg/g) as compared to referent subjects (0.87–1.95 μg/g) ( p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was obtained between the concentration of Hg in hair and age of study population. Exposed and referent female subjects had higher levels of Hg in scalp hair than that in males of both study groups ( p = 0.02–0.031).
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Qadir Shah
- Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan
| | - Tasneem Gul Kazi
- Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan
| | - Hassan Imran Afridi
- Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan
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Sheehan MC, Burke TA, Navas-Acien A, Breysse PN, McGready J, Fox MA. Global methylmercury exposure from seafood consumption and risk of developmental neurotoxicity: a systematic review. Bull World Health Organ 2014; 92:254-269F. [PMID: 24700993 PMCID: PMC3967569 DOI: 10.2471/blt.12.116152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine biomarkers of methylmercury (MeHg) intake in women and infants from seafood-consuming populations globally and characterize the comparative risk of fetal developmental neurotoxicity. METHODS A search was conducted of the published literature reporting total mercury (Hg) in hair and blood in women and infants. These biomarkers are validated proxy measures of MeHg, a neurotoxin found primarily in seafood. Average and high-end biomarkers were extracted, stratified by seafood consumption context, and pooled by category. Medians for average and high-end pooled distributions were compared with the reference level established by a joint expert committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). FINDINGS Selection criteria were met by 164 studies of women and infants from 43 countries. Pooled average biomarkers suggest an intake of MeHg several times over the FAO/WHO reference in fish-consuming riparians living near small-scale gold mining and well over the reference in consumers of marine mammals in Arctic regions. In coastal regions of south-eastern Asia, the western Pacific and the Mediterranean, average biomarkers approach the reference. Although the two former groups have a higher risk of neurotoxicity than the latter, coastal regions are home to the largest number at risk. High-end biomarkers across all categories indicate MeHg intake is in excess of the reference value. CONCLUSION There is a need for policies to reduce Hg exposure among women and infants and for surveillance in high-risk populations, the majority of which live in low-and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C Sheehan
- Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America (USA)
| | - Thomas A Burke
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Patrick N Breysse
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - John McGready
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Mary A Fox
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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Pirard C, Koppen G, De Cremer K, Van Overmeire I, Govarts E, Dewolf MC, Van De Mieroop E, Aerts D, Biot P, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Angerer J, Koch HM, Schindler BK, Castaño A, Esteban M, Schoeters G, Den Hond E, Sepai O, Exley K, Horvat M, Bloemen L, Knudsen LE, Joas R, Joas A, Van Loco J, Charlier C. Hair mercury and urinary cadmium levels in Belgian children and their mothers within the framework of the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES projects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 472:730-740. [PMID: 24333995 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A harmonized human biomonitoring pilot study was set up within the frame of the European projects DEMOCOPHES and COPHES. In 17 European countries, biomarkers of some environmental pollutants, including urinary cadmium and hair mercury, were measured in children and their mothers in order to obtain European-wide comparison values on these chemicals. The Belgian participant population consisted in 129 school children (6-11 years) and their mothers (≤ 45 years) living in urban or rural areas of Belgium. The geometric mean levels for mercury in hair were 0.383 μg/g and 0.204 μg/g for respectively mothers and children. Cadmium in mother's and children's urine was detected at a geometric mean concentration of respectively 0.21 and 0.04 μg/l. For both biomarkers, levels measured in the mothers and their child were correlated. While the urinary cadmium levels increased with age, no trend was found for hair mercury content, except the fact that mothers hold higher levels than children. The hair mercury content increased significantly with the number of dental amalgam fillings, explaining partially the higher levels in the mothers by their higher presence rate of these amalgams compared to children. Fish or seafood consumption was the other main parameter determining the mercury levels in hair. No relationship was found between smoking status and cadmium or mercury levels, but the studied population included very few smokers. Urinary cadmium levels were higher in both mothers and children living in urban areas, while for mercury this difference was only significant for children. Our small population showed urinary cadmium and hair mercury levels lower than the health based guidelines suggested by the WHO or the JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). Only 1% had cadmium level slightly higher than the German HBM-I value (1 μg/l for adults), and 9% exceeded the 1 μg mercury/g hair suggested by the US EPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Pirard
- CHU of Liege, Laboratory of Clinical, Forensic and Environmental Toxicology, CHU (B35), 4000 Liege, Belgium.
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Koen De Cremer
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Ilse Van Overmeire
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Eva Govarts
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Marie-Christine Dewolf
- Provincial Institute Hainaut Vigilance Sanitaire - Hainaut Hygiène Publique en (HVS-HPH), Boulevard Sainctelette, 55, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - Els Van De Mieroop
- Provincial Institute for Hygiene (PIH), Boomgaardstraat 22 bus 1, 2600 Antwerpen, Belgium.
| | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Place Victor Horta 40/10, 1060 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Place Victor Horta 40/10, 1060 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Ludwine Casteleyn
- University of Leuven, Center for Human Genetics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | | | - Gerda Schwedler
- Federal Environment Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Birgit K Schindler
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Argelia Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda - Pozuelo, Km. 2, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marta Esteban
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda - Pozuelo, Km. 2, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Karen Exley
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Milena Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Science International, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Lisbeth E Knudsen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Public Health, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København, Denmark.
| | - Reinhard Joas
- BiPRO GmbH, Grauertstrasse 12, 81545 Munich, Germany.
| | - Anke Joas
- BiPRO GmbH, Grauertstrasse 12, 81545 Munich, Germany.
| | - Joris Van Loco
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Corinne Charlier
- CHU of Liege, Laboratory of Clinical, Forensic and Environmental Toxicology, CHU (B35), 4000 Liege, Belgium.
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Chien LC, Gao CS, Lin HH. Hair mercury concentration and fish consumption: risk and perceptions of risk among women of childbearing age. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2010; 110:123-129. [PMID: 19878931 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2009.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2009] [Revised: 09/14/2009] [Accepted: 10/01/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to assess the hair mercury concentration of women of childbearing age in Taiwan, and to calculate a hazard quotient (HQ) to evaluate the risk of fish consumption for these women. We also examined perceptions of risk associated with fish consumption and whether women in our study changed their habits in response to such risks. The average concentration of mercury was 1.73+/-2.12microgg(-1) (range: 0.02-16.34microgg(-1)), exceeding the US EPA reference dose of 1microgg(-1) in 52.9% of study subjects. The WHO tolerance limit of 10microgg(-1) was exceeded in 1.5% of study subjects. Hair mercury concentration in groups who consumed fish was significantly higher than in groups who never consumed fish (p<0.05). The hazard quotient (exposure estimate/oral reference dose) exceeded 1.0 for 29% of subjects, based on the US EPA's reference dose (0.1microgkg(-1)d(-1)), and the average HQ equaled 1.26. When told that some fish contain high levels of mercury that may be harmful for unborn babies, 67.6% of women still indicated that they would not change their amount of fish intake. The high hair mercury concentrations among women of childbearing age in Taiwan are a cause for concern, due to the effect on babies' brain development. The government should provide specific information about risks and benefits of fish consumption for women to make risk-balancing decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Chu Chien
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250, Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei 110, Taiwan.
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Xue F, Holzman C, Rahbar MH, Trosko K, Fischer L. Maternal fish consumption, mercury levels, and risk of preterm delivery. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2007; 115:42-7. [PMID: 17366817 PMCID: PMC1797831 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.9329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2006] [Accepted: 09/25/2006] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women receive mixed messages about fish consumption in pregnancy because unsaturated fatty acids and protein in fish are thought to be beneficial, but contaminants such as methylmercury may pose a hazard. METHODS In the Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Health (POUCH) study, women were enrolled in the 15th to 27th week of pregnancy from 52 prenatal clinics in five Michigan communities. At enrollment, information was gathered on amount and category of fish consumed during the current pregnancy, and a hair sample was obtained. A segment of hair closest to the scalp, approximating exposure during pregnancy, was assessed for total mercury levels (70-90% methylmercury) in 1,024 POUCH cohort women. RESULTS Mercury levels ranged from 0.01 to 2.50 pg/g (mean = 0.29 microg/g; median = 0.23 microg/g). Total fish consumption and consumption of canned fish, bought fish, and sport-caught fish were positively associated with mercury levels in hair. The greatest fish source for mercury exposure appeared to be canned fish. Compared with women delivering at term, women who delivered before 35 weeks' gestation were more likely to have hair mercury levels at or above the 90th percentile (> or = 0.55 microg/g), even after adjusting for maternal characteristics and fish consumption (adjusted odds ratio = 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-6.7). CONCLUSION This is the first large, community-based study to examine risk of very preterm birth in relation to mercury levels among women with low to moderate exposure. Additional studies are needed to see whether these findings will be replicated in other settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xue
- Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Kay Trosko
- Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Lawrence Fischer
- Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Li Z, Wang Q, Luo Y. Exposure of the urban population to mercury in Changchun city, Northeast China. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2006; 28:61-6. [PMID: 16528593 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-005-9012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2005] [Accepted: 08/17/2005] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
An assessment of exposure to mercury in Changchun city has been undertaken. We estimated Hg exposure to members of the general population based on currently available information and our research. We also studied the Hg concentrations in scalp hair of adults. Adults have an estimated intake of all Hg species via all routes of 6.780 microg day(-1) (excluding dental amalgam), which equates to an absorbed dose of 1.718 microg day(-1). Fish consumption was the most important exposure route (12% of intake, 43% of absorbed dose). Furthermore, air, cereals and vegetables were important exposure routes, and these exposure were estimated for absorbed dosed at 0.296, 0.209 and 0.318 microg day(-1), respectively. The mean Hg concentration in hair was 0.448 microg g(-1) (range 0.092-10.463 microg g(-1)). Hg concentration in the hair of males was 0.422 microg g(-1) (0.105-2.665 microg g(-1)), and was 0.474 microg g(-1)(0.092-10.463 microg g(-)1) in the hair of females. Neither place of residence nor age had any significant effect on hair Hg concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibo Li
- Soil and Environment Bioremediation Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 210008 Nanjing, China.
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Johnsson C, Schütz A, Sällsten G. Impact of consumption of freshwater fish on mercury levels in hair, blood, urine, and alveolar air. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2005; 68:129-140. [PMID: 15762551 DOI: 10.1080/15287390590885992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to methylmercury occurs mainly via consumption of fish. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of freshwater fish consumption on mercury levels in hair, blood, urine, and end-exhaled air. Twenty subjects without dental amalgam fillings were recruited from sport-fishing societies. They ranged in age from 61 to 87 yr. Six individuals ate freshwater fish at least once a week and were categorized as high consumers. Eight individuals were classified as medium consumers and ate freshwater fish at least once a month but less than once a week. Six individuals were categorized as low consumers and had not eaten freshwater fish in the past 3 mo. Among the high consumers, median concentrations of mercury were 8.6 microg/L in blood, 2.4 microg/g in hair, 10 pg/L in end-exhaled air, and 1.1 microg/g creatinine in urine. The relationship between freshwater fish consumption and mercury was significant in all biological media. The high-consumption group had much higher mercury levels in blood (9-fold), hair (7-fold), alveolar air (3-fold), and urine (15-fold) than the low-consumption group. The latter finding may be explained by demethylation of methylmercury in the body. The ratio between mercury concentration in blood and hair was 1:270. This implies that the typical blood-hair ratio of 1:250, specified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990, is valid also for exposure to low amounts of methylmercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Johnsson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy and University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
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Johnsson C, Sällsten G, Schütz A, Sjörs A, Barregård L. Hair mercury levels versus freshwater fish consumption in household members of Swedish angling societies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2004; 96:257-63. [PMID: 15364592 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2004.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2003] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Hair mercury levels were determined in 143 individuals from households of members in angling societies in an area of Sweden with many lakes that have freshwater fish with relatively high mercury levels. Thus, the individuals had a potentially high intake of methyl mercury. The mean mercury concentration of pike and perch was approximately 0.7 microg/g. One-third of the subjects consumed these freshwater fish at least once a week. As could be expected, there was a clear increase in hair Hg with reported freshwater fish consumption (P < 0.001). The median mercury level in hair was 0.9 microg Hg/g for the whole group, and for those who reported consumption of freshwater fish at least once a week it was 1.8 microg/g. The highest hair mercury level was 18.5 microg/g, in a man who consumed pike and perch several times per week. Men had higher hair Hg than women, also when stratified for fish consumption. This was verified in 32 couples, of which the man and woman consumed the same fish and reported the same consumption. The median hair mercury level in these 32 couples was 1.3 microg/g for men and 0.8 microg/g for women (P = 0.002). About half of the subjects had hair mercury exceeding 1 microg/g, corresponding to the reference dose (RfD) of 0.1 microg of mercury per kilogram body weight set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Although the RfD applies to all populations, the most at-risk group at these levels is pregnant women. There were only 2 women (of 12) of fertile age with hair mercury above 1 microg/g. In Sweden pregnant women are advised not to eat perch and pike at all during pregnancy. Since fish is rich in many important nutrients, it is unsatisfactory that fish consumption must be restricted, and thus there is a need to reduce mercury levels in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Johnsson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy and University Hospital, Goteburg University, P.B. 414, 405 30 Goteburg, Sweden
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Bárány E, Bergdahl IA, Bratteby LE, Lundh T, Samuelson G, Skerfving S, Oskarsson A. Mercury and selenium in whole blood and serum in relation to fish consumption and amalgam fillings in adolescents. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2003; 17:165-70. [PMID: 14968928 DOI: 10.1016/s0946-672x(03)80021-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mercury and selenium in whole blood and serum of 245 17-year old Swedish adolescents were analysed. The relationships between these elements' concentrations and the consumption of fish as well as the number of dental amalgam fillings were studied. The geometric means (GM) of the mercury concentrations were 1.1 microg/L in blood and 0.43 microg/L in serum. The mean selenium concentration in blood was 110 microg/L and the GM of the serum selenium concentration 110 microg/L. Fish species with dietary restrictions due to elevated mercury Levels (i.e. pike, perch, pikeperch, burbot, eel and halibut) were consumed on average 0.7 times/month and fish species without such restrictions 4.1 times/month. Despite this comparatively low fish consumption, the adolescents' blood mercury concentrations were positively correlated with fish consumption. Of the adolescents, 39% had amalgam fillings (mean 2 +/- 1.5). Serum mercury was influenced by the number of amalgam fillings, by fish consumption, blood and serum levels of selenium and the residential area. Blood and serum selenium concentrations were not influenced by fish consumption, but were positively associated with the serum mercury concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebba Bárány
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Swedish University of AgricuLtural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Sanzo JM, Dorronsoro M, Amiano P, Amurrio A, Aguinagalde FX, Azpiri MA. Estimation and validation of mercury intake associated with fish consumption in an EPIC cohort of Spain. Public Health Nutr 2001; 4:981-8. [PMID: 11784411 DOI: 10.1079/phn2001170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate mercury intake due to fish consumption among the individuals from Gipuzkoa participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC), and to validate the estimation of mercury exposure through diet, by measuring blood mercury level. DESIGN AND SETTING The population for the EPIC Gipuzkoa cohort was recruited from 1992 to 1995. Each individual's diet was assessed regarding habitual intake over the previous year, using the diet history method. Blood samples were taken at the time of the interview. The mercury content of the fish species consumed was supplied by the Food Chemical Surveillance Programme in the Basque Country. SUBJECTS For the estimation, 8417 volunteers, men and women, aged 35-65 years, of the EPIC cohort; for the validation, a random sample of 120 individuals stratified by fish intake was taken. RESULTS The validation study confirmed the relationship between fish consumption and mercury intake, as well as between fish consumption and mercury in erythrocytes. 99.9% of individuals have intakes below 75% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) of mercury established by the World Health Organization. But the limit dosage recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, measured by the average risk index, would be exceeded often. CONCLUSIONS No individual from the cohort would exceed the PTWI of mercury. Nevertheless, owing to the amount of fish consumed, certain individuals would have mercury intakes approaching the recommended limits. With a view to the future, we believe mercury in fish must continue to be monitored closely in order to assess the risks for the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Sanzo
- Health Department of the Basque Country, Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Avda. Navarra No. 4, 20013 San Sebastian, Spain
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Vahter M, Akesson A, Lind B, Björs U, Schütz A, Berglund M. Longitudinal study of methylmercury and inorganic mercury in blood and urine of pregnant and lactating women, as well as in umbilical cord blood. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2000; 84:186-194. [PMID: 11068932 DOI: 10.1006/enrs.2000.4098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We have investigated exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) and mercury vapor (Hg0) in pregnant women and their newborns in Stockholm. The women were followed for 15 months post delivery. MeHg, inorganic Hg (I-Hg), and total Hg (T-Hg) in maternal and cord blood were determined by automated alkaline solubilization/reduction and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. T-Hg in urine was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. About 72% of the Hg in blood (n = 148) in early pregnancy was MeHg (median 0.94 microg/L, maximum 6.8 microg/L). Blood MeHg decreased during pregnancy, partly due to decreased intake of fish in accordance with recommendations to not eat certain predatory fish during pregnancy. Cord blood MeHg (median 1.4 microg/L, maximum 4.8 microg/L) was almost twice that in maternal blood in late pregnancy and was probably influenced by maternal MeHg exposure earlier and before pregnancy. Blood I-Hg (median 0.37 microg/L, maximum 4.2 microg/L) and urine T-Hg (median 1.6 microg/L, maximum 12 microg/L) in early pregnancy were highly correlated, and both were associated with the number of amalgam fillings. The concentrations decreased during lactation, probably due to excretion in milk. Cord blood I-Hg was correlated with that in maternal blood. The results show the importance of speciation of Hg in blood for evaluation of exposure and health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vahter
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Sundberg J, Jönsson S, Karlsson MO, Oskarsson A. Lactational exposure and neonatal kinetics of methylmercury and inorganic mercury in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1999; 154:160-9. [PMID: 9925800 DOI: 10.1006/taap.1998.8566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The concentration of mercury in milk and the distribution pattern in the sucking pup was followed over time after administration of a single iv injection of 0.5 mg/kg body wt of 203Hg-labeled methylmercuric chloride or mercuric chloride to lactating mice on Day 10 of lactation. Mercury concentrations in milk of the dams and in whole body, blood, plasma, GI-tract, liver, kidneys, and brain of the offspring were followed up to 11 days after dosing (until lactational Day 21). Following the inorganic mercury dose to the dams, most of the mercury in milk was delivered to the pups during the first 24 h, but the maximum mercury concentration in plasma and tissues of pups was not reached until 7 days after dosing, indicating a prolonged absorption of inorganic mercury in the sucking pup. Pups of dams given methylmercury were exposed to a much lower and constant mercury concentration in milk. The estimated accumulated mercury dose via milk per pup of dams given methylmercury was less than half of that estimated after the inorganic mercury dose. When the accumulated dose via milk from methylmercury-exposed dams was compared to the amount of mercury in pup's carcass (whole body minus GI-tract including content), it was revealed that almost all mercury delivered via milk was absorbed, and that the suckling pups had a very low elimination of mercury until lactational Day 17. Lactational exposure following a maternal methylmercury or inorganic mercury dose resulted in almost similar mercury concentrations in liver, kidneys, and plasma of the suckling, but higher concentrations in brain (as most 14 times) and also twice as high mercury body burden in the methylmercury group. Thus, differences in kinetics indicate that lactational exposure of methylmercury is a greater hazard for the breast-fed infant than inorganic mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sundberg
- Toxicology Division, National Food Administration, Uppsala, Sweden
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13
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Barbosa AC, Dórea JG. Indices of mercury contamination during breast feeding in the Amazon Basin. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 1998; 6:71-79. [PMID: 21781883 DOI: 10.1016/s1382-6689(98)00031-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Mercury pollution, due to gold mining has spread through the Amazon ecosystem reaching the food chain and affecting the indigenous people of the region. We studied the mercury contamination of 47 mothers and infants and the role of breast feeding in indices of mercury body burden in both groups, by measuring hair and milk Hg levels. Total mercury concentration of breast milk ranged from 0.0 to 24.8 (5.85, 5.2 S.D.) ng/g. Calculated levels of mercury exposure of breast fed babies indicated that 53% were above tolerable daily intakes (0.5 μg/kg body weight) recommended for adults by WHO. Mercury concentration in maternal hair was higher than in hair from breast-fed babies. Correlation analysis showed that mercury hair concentration in infants was significantly affected by maternal mercury contamination during pregnancy, but not during the post-natal breast-feeding period. The mercury concentration in milk was not significantly correlated with maternal or infant's hair Hg. A statistically significant correlation was found only between maternal and infant's hair mercury concentration (r=0.675; P=0.0001).
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Barbosa
- Department of Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Brasilia, 70910-970 Brasilia DF, Brazil
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14
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15
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Batista J, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL, Corbella J. Mercury in hair for a child population from Tarragona Province, Spain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 1996; 193:143-8. [PMID: 9043145 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(96)05340-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury concentrations were determined in scalp hair of 233 school children aged 6-16 years. The study was carried out in three communities (Flix, Tarragona and Tortosa) from Tarragona Province (Southern Catalonia, Spain). The influence of the variables place of residence, age, sex, fish and seafood consumption, number of dental amalgam fillings, hair color, parents' occupation, and smoking habits of the household members was also examined. The geometric mean mercury concentration in hair was 0.77 microgram/g. The place of residence, sex, and the frequency in consuming fish and seafood were the variables that significantly affected hair mercury concentrations. Girls had more mercury in their hair than boys, whereas hair mercury levels were significantly correlated with the frequency in the fish and seafood consumption, with the levels being more elevated when the fish and seafood consumption was also higher. Hair mercury concentrations were also affected by the place of residence, with school children of Flix showing lower mercury concentrations than those found in children from Tarragona and Tortosa. The remaining variables had no influence on hair mercury levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Batista
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Rovira i Virgili University, Reus, Spain
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16
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Thuvander A, Sundberg J, Oskarsson A. Immunomodulating effects after perinatal exposure to methylmercury in mice. Toxicology 1996; 114:163-75. [PMID: 8947615 DOI: 10.1016/s0300-483x(96)03486-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The influence of methylmercury on the developing immune system was studied in offspring from Balb/c mice exposed to 0, 0.5 or 5 mg Hg/kg as methylmercury in the diet. Dams were exposed for 10 weeks prior to mating, during gestation and lactation. Pups were exposed to mercury until day 15 of lactation, thereafter the pups were given control milk and control diet. Samples for mercury analysis were collected from the pups on days 22 and 50, and for immunological studies on days 10, 22 and 50. The exposure resulted in significantly increased total Hg concentrations in whole blood on day 22 and 50 in offspring from the 5 mg Hg/kg group, and in offspring from the 0.5 mg Hg/kg group on day 22. On day 50, blood mercury levels had decreased to background levels in the 0.5 mg Hg/kg group. Increased numbers of splenocytes and thymocytes were found in offspring from the 0.5 mg Hg/kg group. Flow cytometry analysis of thymocytes revealed increased numbers and altered proportions of lymphocyte subpopulations within the thymus in offspring from both of the exposed groups. The proliferative response of splenocytes to the B-cell mitogen LPS was increased in offspring from dams exposed to 5 mg Hg/kg, and the primary antibody response to a viral antigen was stimulated in pups from dams exposed to 0.5 mg Hg/kg. The present results indicate that placental and lactational transfer of mercury affects thymocyte development and stimulates certain mitogen- or antigen-induced lymphocyte activities in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Thuvander
- National Food Administration, Uppsala, Sweden
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17
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Oskarsson A, Schültz A, Skerfving S, Hallén IP, Ohlin B, Lagerkvist BJ. Total and inorganic mercury in breast milk in relation to fish consumption and amalgam in lactating women. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 1996; 51:234-41. [PMID: 8687245 DOI: 10.1080/00039896.1996.9936021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury concentrations (mean +/- standard deviation) in breast milk, blood, and hair samples collected 6 wk after delivery from 30 women who lived in the north of Sweden were 0.6 +/- 0.4 ng/g (3.0 +/- 2.0 nmol/kg), 2.3 +/- 1.0 ng/g (11.5 +/- 5.0 nmol/kg), and 0.28 +/- 0.16 microg/g (1.40 +/- 0.80 micromol/kg), respectively. In milk, an average of 51% of total mercury was in the form of inorganic mercury, whereas in blood an average of only 26% was present in the inorganic form. Total and inorganic mercury levels in blood (r = .55, p = .003; and r = .46, p = .01 6; respectively) and milk (r = .47, p = .01; and r = .45, p = .018; respectively) were correlated with the number of amalgam fillings. The concentrations of total mercury and organic mercury (calculated by subtraction of inorganic mercury from total mercury) in blood (r = .59, p = .0006, and r = .56, p = .001; respectively) and total mercury in hair (r = .52, p = .006) were correlated with the estimated recent exposure to methylmercury via intake of fish. There was no significant between the milk levels of mercury in any chemical form and the estimated methylmercury intake. A significant correlation was found between levels of total mercury in blood and in milk (r = .66, p = .0001), with milk levels being an average of 27% of the blood levels. There was an association between inorganic mercury in blood and milk (r = .96, p < .0001); the average level of inorganic mercury in milk was 55% of the level of inorganic mercury in blood. No significant correlations were found between the levels of any form of mercury in milk and the levels of organic mercury in blood. The results indicated that there was an efficient transfer of inorganic mercury from blood to milk and that, in this population, mercury from amalgam fillings was the main source of mercury in milk. Exposure of the infant to mercury from breast milk was calculated to range up to 0.3 microg/kg x d, of which approximately one-half was inorganic mercury. This exposure, however, corresponds to approximately one-half the tolerable daily intake for adults recommended by the World Health Organization. We concluded that efforts should be made to decrease mercury burden in fertile women.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Oskarsson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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18
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Olivero J, Mendonza C, Mestre J. [Hair mercury levels in different occupational groups in a gold mining zone in the north of Colombia]. Rev Saude Publica 1995; 29:376-9. [PMID: 8731277 DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89101995000500006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hair mercury analysis was carried out on a sample of 219 people living in the main gold mining zone of Colombia, 27 inhabitante of Cartagena City being taken as control sample. For data analysis the sample was divided by occupation and the corresponding the hair mercury concentrations (mean +/- SD) were found to be 5.23 +/- 5.78, 2.83 +/- 3.27, 2.4 +/- 2.02 and 1.33 +/- 0.74 micrograms/g for fishermen, miners, people of various other activities and the control sample, respectively. According to variance analysis and the Newman Keuls test, there were significant differences (p < 0.01) between the mercury concentrations for fishermen and those for the other groups. No significant differences were found for hair mercury and sex, non was any correlation with age detected; however, a low positive correlation (R = 0.15, p < 0.01) with the frequency of the consumption of fish was noted. The main symptoms of mercury poinsoning observed in the persons exposed were headache, oral lesions, metalic taste, loss of memory, and irritability.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Olivero
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Cartagena, Colombia
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