Mercury in hair and blood from residents of Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and possible effect on serum hormone levels.
High concentration of mercury (Hg) in hair has been reported for Cambodians. To confirm the Hg contamination occurring through intake, Hg concentrations were determined in both hair and blood of residents (n=20) from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Mercury concentrations in the hair and blood were 0.69-190microg g(-1) dry wt and 5.2-58microg l(-1), respectively, which were lower than those from Hg contaminated or high fish intake regions, but were higher than those from non-contaminated regions. Some female subjects had hair and blood Hg levels exceeding the threshold values for neurotoxic effects. Interestingly, serum estrone and estradiol levels were positively correlated with blood Hg level for both males and females, indicating possible induction of female hormones by Hg exposure in Cambodians.
Agusa
Tetsuro
T
Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 2-5, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan.
Kunito
Takashi
T
Iwata
Hisato
H
Monirith
In
I
Chamnan
Chhoun
C
Tana
Touch Seang
TS
Subramanian
Annamalai
A
Tanabe
Shinsuke
S
D000328:Adult; D002160:Cambodia; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood*
D004970:Estrone; D004958:Estradiol; D008628:Mercury