title: Methylmercury monitoring study in Karakuwacho peninsula area in Japan.
abstract: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a worldwide concern owing to its adverse health effects. To explore MeHg exposure burdens and the potential contributing factors in different subpopulations in a peninsula area (Karakuwacho) in Japan, a cross-sectional survey was performed. This study included 189 individuals from 102 families. The geometric means of total hair mercury (THg) were 5.74, 3.78 and 2.37 μg/g for adult males, females and children, respectively, of which 56.5 %, 30.9 % and 12.9 % had hair THg exceeding 5 μg/g, respectively. Tuna and mackerel were the common fish species that were positively correlated with hair THg levels in different subpopulations (standardized coefficient ranged from 0.20 to 0.58, p < 0.05). Frequent consumption of these fish species and a large amount of fish intake are likely major contributors of MeHg exposure in this area. Local-scale risk evaluation and risk communication should be highlighted in future studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Yoshida-Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Junxia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Kayoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asakawa
authors.forename: Kouji H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hachiya
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koizumi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical