title: Mercury and lead blood concentrations in pregnant women from 10 caribbean countries.
abstract: Maternal mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) blood concentrations were measured in a total of 442 samples taken from pregnant and delivering women in 10 Caribbean countries. Hg was detected in all 10 countries with the geometric mean ranging from a low of 0.83 μg L(-1) (Jamaica) to a high of 3.13 μg L(-1) (Grenada). When compared to comparable U.S. and Canadian data, Hg concentrations in Caribbean women are on average more than 2 times higher. With the exception of St. Kitts & Nevis, Pb was detected in at least one of the samples taken from the other 9 countries with two countries-Grenada and St. Vincent - having Pb detected in ≥60% of those sampled. In these two countries, the Pb concentrations ranged from a low of 1.17 μg dL(-1) (Grenada) to a high of 1.98 μg dL(-1) (St. Vincent). Compared to comparable U.S. and Canadian data, Pb concentrations in Caribbean women are generally higher than that measured in North America. This study confirms that neonates in the Caribbean are being exposed to both Hg and Pb and highlights the need to implement surveillance programs that continuously monitor, intervene, and evaluate the levels of these toxic elements to ensure that they are reduced as far as possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, St. George's University, PO Box 7, St. George, Grenada, West Indies. martinforde@mac.com.
authors.forename: Martin S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Forde
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dewailly
authors.forename: Lyndon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Elhadji A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Laouan Sidi
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Côté
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sandy
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dumas
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ayotte
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017691:Caribbean Region; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury