Exposure to Mercury in the Americas

Mahaffey, Kathryn R.

doi:10.1007/0-387-24494-8_15

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 117 publications

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“…To go beyond the present analysis, one would need intake estimates that combine fish harvest region with consumption quantities and species selection. Variability in fish Hg concentrations may help to explain differences in mean and 90th percentile blood Hg concentrations observed for Atlantic coastal residents (2.7 and 7.7 μg/L, respectively) relative to those measured in Pacific coastal residents (1.7 and 4.7 μg/L, respectively) (Mahaffey 2005). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Exposure from Domestic and Imported Estuarine and Marine Fish in the U.S. Seafood Market

Sunderland

2007

Environ Health Perspect

284

236

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BackgroundMethylmercury exposure causes a variety of adverse effects on human health. Per capita estimates of mercury exposure are critical for risk assessments and for developing effective risk management strategies.ObjectiveThis study investigated the impact of natural stochasticity in mercury concentrations among fish and shellfish harvested from the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and foreign shores on estimated mercury exposures.MethodsMercury concentrations and seafood consumption are grouped by supply region (Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and foreign shores). Distributions of intakes from this study are compared with values obtained using national FDA (Food and Drug Administration) mercury survey data to assess the significance of geographic variability in mercury concentrations on exposure estimates.ResultsPer capita mercury intake rates calculated using FDA mercury data differ significantly from those based on mercury concentration data for each supply area and intakes calculated for the 90th percentile of mercury concentrations.ConclusionsDifferences in reported mercury concentrations can significantly affect per capita mercury intake estimates, pointing to the importance of spatially refined mercury concentration data. This analysis shows that national exposure estimates are most influenced by reported concentrations in imported tuna, swordfish, and shrimp; Pacific pollock; and Atlantic crabs. Collecting additional mercury concentration data for these seafood categories would improve the accuracy of national exposure estimates.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Exposure from Domestic and Imported Estuarine and Marine Fish in the U.S. Seafood Market

Sunderland

2007

Environ Health Perspect

284

236

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“…In the United States, the main route of human Hg exposure is through direct ingestion from either contaminated food or water (Mahaffey, 2005 ; USEPA, 2022 ). The consumption of game species holds value across cultural, economic, and conservation contexts, but for certain species, consumption can also serve as a direct source of contaminant exposure, with attendant implications for public health (Arnett & Southwick, 2015 ; McCorquodale, 1997 ; Smith et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Mercury Concentrations in American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) with Hunter Consumption Surveys to Estimate Exposure Risk

Kojima

Tuberville

Parrott

2023

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Mercury is a naturally occurring element but is also considered a widespread contaminant due to global anthropogenic activity. Even in moderate amounts, mercury (Hg) is an established neurotoxin and is associated with a range of adverse outcomes both in humans and wildlife. Humans in the United States are most commonly exposed to Hg through contaminated food or drinking water, and the consumption of game species, particularly those occupying higher trophic levels, has the potential to expose hunters to high concentrations of Hg. In the present study, we determined Hg concentrations in tail muscle and blood from American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabiting a region (Savannah River Site, SC, USA) with known Hg contamination. We then integrated these data with alligator harvest records and previously published surveys of alligator meat consumption patterns to estimate potential exposure risk. We found that the average Hg concentrations in tail muscle (1.34 mg/kg, wet wt) from sampled alligators exceeded the recommended threshold for Hg exposure based on the World Health Organization's guidelines (0.5 mg/kg, wet wt). In addition, based on regional consumption patterns reported for both adults and children, we estimated Hg exposures (x Adult ¯= 0.419 µg/kg/day, x Child ¯= 2.24 µg/kg/day) occurring well above the US Environmental Protection Agency methylmercury reference dose of 0.1 μg/kg/day. Although the two reservoirs sampled in the present study are not currently open to alligator hunting, they are connected to waters that are publicly accessible, and the extent of alligator mobility across these sites is not known. Together, the findings reported in the present study further demonstrate the need for active monitoring of Hg concentrations in game species, which can convey substantial exposure risks to the public.

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“…There are, however, legal requirements and safety concerns. Toxic ingredients, such as mercury have been identified in cosmetic products [3][4][5][6]. The Indonesian National Agency of Drug and Food Control works to overcome this problem as cosmetics containing various toxic ingredients spread widely in the market [7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Exposure and Health Problems of the Students Using Skin-Lightening Cosmetic Products in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

et al. 2020

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Despite legal and safety issues, skin-lightening cosmetic products—including hazardous mercury-containing cosmetics—are in increasing demand in Indonesia. Perceptions of beauty may result in desires to have lighter skin tones, regardless of the safety of these cosmetics, which block the production of melanin and thus lighten skin tone. This study investigated Hg exposure of students using skin-lightening cosmetics and assessed the health issues. A total of 105 female students were given a questionnaire regarding their use of cosmetics; a further 43 students formed a non-cosmetic-user control group. Their scalp hair and cosmetic products were analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) spectroscopy. The geometric-mean hair Hg concentration for the cosmetics-using students was 6.7 µg g−1—three times that of the control group (2.3 µg g−1). Of twenty-seven cosmetic samples were analyzed, twenty had Hg concentrations of 0.12–7834.4 µg g−1 (mean 554.6 µg g−1), and seven had no detectable Hg. The hair Hg concentrations exhibited a statistically significant correlation with cosmetic Hg concentration. The health assessments indicated only rigidity & ataxia and irregular eye movement were prevalent in the cosmetic-using students with less than 7% occurrences.

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Exposure to Mercury in the Americas

Cited by 4 publications

References 117 publications

Mercury Exposure from Domestic and Imported Estuarine and Marine Fish in the U.S. Seafood Market

Mercury Exposure from Domestic and Imported Estuarine and Marine Fish in the U.S. Seafood Market

Integrating Mercury Concentrations in American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) with Hunter Consumption Surveys to Estimate Exposure Risk

Mercury Exposure and Health Problems of the Students Using Skin-Lightening Cosmetic Products in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

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