Changes of mercury contents in hair of Chinese scholars after they came to Japan.
In April 1988, 49 Chinese scholars came to Japan for one year medical training. Their hair samples were collected in June 1988 and March 1989 for analyses of mercury. After they lived in Japan for nearly one year, the mean total-Hg contents in hair were increased from 0.82 microgram/g to 1.96, and those of methyl-Hg in hair, from 0.19 microgram/g to 0.32, both with significant differences (p less than 0.01). It is suggested that Japanese foods, especially the fish, might be the responsible factor in increasing the mercury contents in their hair.
Chen
W S
WS
Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged
D008628:Mercury