title: Assessment of chronic mercury exposure within the U.S.  population, National Health and Nutrition Examination  Survey, 1999–2006.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess chronic mercury exposure within the US population. Time trends were analyzed for blood inorganic mercury (I-Hg) levels in 6,174 women, ages 18-49, in the NHANES, 1999-2006 data sets. Multivariate logistic regression distinguished a significant, direct correlation within the US population between I-Hg detection and years since the start of the survey (OR = 1.49, P < 0.001). Within this population, I-Hg detection rose sharply from 2% in 1999-2000 to 30% in 2005-2006. In addition, the population averaged mean I-Hg concentration rose significantly over that same period from 0.33 to 0.39 μ/L (Anova, P < 0.001). In a separate analysis, multivariate logistic regression indicated that I-Hg detection was significantly associated with age (OR = 1.02, P < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression revealed significant associations of both I-Hg detection and mean concentration with biomarkers for the main targets of mercury deposition and effect: the liver, immune system, and pituitary. This study provides compelling evidence that I-Hg deposition within the human body is a cumulative process, increasing with age and in the population over time, since 1999, as a result of chronic mercury exposure. Furthermore, our results indicate that I-Hg deposition is associated with the significant biological markers for main targets of exposure, deposition, and effect. Accumulation of focal I-Hg deposits within the human body due to chronic mercury exposure provides a mechanism which suggests a time dependent rise in the population risks for associated disease.
authors.affiliation: Mental Retardation Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 635 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Neuroscience Research Bldg., Room 379 (lab), Los Angeles, CA 90095-7332, USA. dlaks@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Dan R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Laks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D016015:Logistic Models; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys / Q000639:trends*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D008628:Mercury; D001663:Bilirubin