New evidence on variations of human body burden of methylmercury from fish consumption.
Epidemiologic studies commonly use mercury (Hg) level in hair as a valid proxy to estimate human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) through fish consumption. This study presents the results yielded by a complete data set on fish consumption habits, Hg levels in edible fish resources, and corresponding Hg accumulation in hair, gathered in three distinct communities of eastern Canada. For one of these communities, the average hair Hg concentration was 14 times less than the expected value based on calculated daily oral exposure and current knowledge of MeHg metabolism. This finding could be explained by differences in specific genetic characteristics and/or interactive effects of other dietary components.
Canuel
René
R
Institute of Environmental Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. canuel.rene@uqam.ca
de Grosbois
Sylvie Boucher
SB
Atikessé
Laura
L
Lucotte
Marc
M
Arp
Paul
P
Ritchie
Charles
C
Mergler
Donna
D
Chan
Hing Man
HM
Amyot
Marc
M
Anderson
Robin
R
D000818:Animals; D001822:Body Burden; D004032:Diet; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D017747:Seafood
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds