Total mercury, methylmercury and selenium in mercury polluted areas in the province Guizhou, China

Rice consumption contributes to low level methylmercury exposure in southern China

“…The THg and MeHg concentrations in the rice samples reported in this study were significantly lower than that from the Hg mining areas in Guizhou Province Horvat et al, 2003;Meng et al, 2010Meng et al, , 2011Qiu et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2010a,b). The THg concentrations were comparable with that from 20 provinces in China (with a mean of 5.8 ng·g −1 , Qian et al, 2010) and that reported in the third national Total Diet Study conducted in China in 2000 (with a mean of 9.0 ng·g −1 ), which was considered to be an average concentration for THg in rice collected in China (Li et al, 2006).…”

“…Highly elevated THg concentrations (up to 1120 ng·g −1 ) were reported Horvat et al, 2003;Meng et al, 2010Meng et al, , 2011Qiu et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2010a,b). More importantly, the highly toxic MeHg concentrations can reach as high as 174 ng·g −1 .…”

“…Recent studies have highlighted that rice can accumulate relatively high levels of MeHg (174 ng·g − 1 ) in mercury (Hg) mining areas in Guizhou Province, Southwestern China (Horvat et al, 2003;Zhang et al, 2010a). Shi et al (2005) also found the MeHg concentrations in rice samples produced in 15 provinces in China ranged from 1.9 to 10.5 ng·g −1 .…”

Mercury Pollution in China

“…Hg concentrations in river water and plants in the area are also elevated, ranging from 3.2 to 680 ng/L (11-13) and 0.47 to 331 mg/kg, respectively (11). Horvat et al found that the concentrations of THg and MeHg in rice grains from Wanshan can reach up to 0.57 and 0.14 mg/kg, respectively (12).…”

The impact of sewage irrigation on the uptake of mercury in corn plants (Zea mays) from suburban Beijing

“…Most human exposure to Hg occurs through the consumption of fish, however, Hg exposure also occurs through rice (Bennett et al, 2000;Horvat et al, 2003;Nakagawa and Yumita, 1998), and vegetables (de Temmerman et al, 1986;Mosbaek et al, 1988). Hg concentration may be lower in agricultural crops, but this route of exposure is important because these foods, especially rice, are considered staples throughout Asia.…”