title: Using human hair as an indicator for exposure to mercury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Exposure to mercury, a risk factor for neuro-developmental toxicity, was evaluated in the Czech Republic by performing mercury determination using human hair as an indicator.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hair samples from Czechs (n=311; 2-66 years old) were analyzed for mercury content. Total mercury was analysed by mercury analyzer AMA 254.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest total mercury content found in sampled hair was 3.55 microg/g and the lowest content was 0.015 microg/g. No correlation was found between the mercury levels in the sampled hair and the subject's age, gender, and the amount of amalgam fillings. A total of 38 hair samples were analyzed for methylmercury content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show a positive correlation between the total mercury content in human hair and the consumption of marine and freshwater fish. Hair are a very good indicator of fish consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Toxicology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic. kruzikovak@vfu.cz
authors.forename: Kamila
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kruzikova
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kensova
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blahova
authors.forename: Danka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harustiakova
authors.forename: Zdenka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Svobodova
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury