title: Mercury in hair as a biomarker of exposure in a coastal Venezuelan population.
abstract: To assess mercury exposure and potential risk, total mercury (THg-H) and methylmercury (MeHg-H) in hair were studied in 160 adults. The study group consisted of 60 individuals living in the north central coast of Venezuela. A section of the area was known to be contaminated with mercury from a chlor-alkali plant installed near one of the tributary rivers of the Caribbean Sea. The study group was selected from 4 inclusion criteria points. The control group was composed of 100 individuals selected from Carabobo state with no known exposure to Hg. A questionnaire was designed to collect demographic, health information, work activities and fish consumption habits. Hair samples were analyzed for THg. Samples with THg-H > 5 microg/g were also analyzed for MeHg. The mean THg-H was 1.88 +/- 1.50 and 0.99 +/- 0.87 microg/g for the study and control groups, respectively. The study group was statistically higher than control individuals, however, no statistical differences of THg-H were found between each of the 4 categories of both groups. Mean MeHg-H value was 3.67 +/- 1.25 microg/g. Associations were made between Hg-H and several variables. No significant relationship was noted between Hg-H levels and clinical symptoms. R analyses and t-tests were used to determine associations between questionnaire variables and THg-H. The main predictors of THg-H levels in the study group were fish consumption and frequency. As both groups presented relatively low values for THg-H and MeHg-H, the results of this study indicate that Hg exposure did not exceed safe levels. However, a more in-depth exposure assessment should be conducted to more accurately assess this exposure, specifically in terms of Hg content in water and fish sampling.
authors.affiliation: MRM-CONSULTOX, Valencia, Venezuela. rojas.m@intercable.net.ve
authors.forename: Maritza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seijas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Squiuante
authors.forename: Maria Alejandra
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pieters
authors.forename: Saba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Infante
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005398:Fisheries; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury