Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mercury Content of Hair in Different Populations Relative to Fish Consumption

  • Chapter
Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Part of the book series: Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ((RECT,volume 189))

Abstract

Mercury is ranked third behind lead and arsenic on the ATSDR/EPA priority list of hazardous substances (ATSDR 1997) based on toxicity and prevalence at contaminated sites. The hazardous effects of mercury initially became well known because of the major mercury-related accident that contaminated several humans in Minamata, Japan (Tsubaki and Irukayama 1977).

Communicated by David M. Whitacre.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abe T, Ohtsuka R, Hongo T, Suzuki T, Tohyama C, Nakano A, Akagi H, Akimichi T (1995) High hair and urinary mercury levels of fish eaters in the nonpolluted environment of Papua New Guinea. Arch Environ Health 50:367–373.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agusa T, Kunito T, Iwata H, Monirith IN, Tanca TS, Subramanian A, Tanabe S (2005) Mercury contamination in human hair and fish from Cambodia: levels, specific accumulation and risk assessment. Environ Pollut 134:79–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Airey D (1983a) Mercury in human hair due to environment and diet: a review. Environ Health Perspect 52:303–316.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Airey D (1983b) Total mercury concentrations in human hair from 13 countries in relation to fish consumption and location. Sci Total Environ 31:157–180.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akagi H, Malm O, Kinjo Y, Harada M, Branches FJP, Pfeiffer WC, Kato H (1995) Methylmercury pollution in Amazon, Brazil. Sci Total Environ 175:85–96.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akagi H, Grandjean PH, Takizawa Y, Weihe P (1998) Methylmercury dose estimation from umbilical cord concentrations in patients with Minamata disease. Environ Res A 77:98–103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Majed NB, Preston MR (2000) Factors influencing the total mercury and methylmercury in the hair of the fisherman of Kuwait. Environ Pollut 100:239–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amin-Zaki L, Elhassani S, Majeed MA, Clarkson TW, Doherty RA, Greenwood M (1974) Intra-uterine methylmercury poisoning in Iraq. Pediatrics 54(5):587–595.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amorim MI, Mergler D, Bahia MO, Dubeau H, Miranda D, Lebel J, Burbano RR, Lucotte M (2000) Cytogenetic damage related to low levels of methyl mercury contamination in the Brazilian Amazon. An Acad Bras Cienc 72(4):497–507.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ask Bjornberg K, Vahter M, Petersson-Grawe K, Glynn A, Cnattingius S, Darnerud PO, Atuma S, Aune M, Becker M, Berglund M (2003) Methylmercury and inorganic mercury in Swedish pregnant women and in cord blood: influence of fish consumption and dental amalgam. Environ Health Perspect 111:637–641.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ask Bjornberg K, Vahter M, Petersson-Grawe K, Berglund M (2005) Methylmercury exposure in Swedish women with high fish consumption, Sci Total Environ 341:45–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ATSDR (1997) Top 20 Hazardous Substances: ATSDR/EPA Priority List for 1995. http://atsdrl.atsdr.cdc.gov:8080/cxcx3.html.

    Google Scholar 

  • ATSDR (2000) Toxicologic Profile for Mercury. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbosa AC, Dórea JG (1998) Indices of mercury contamination during breast feeding in the Amazon Basin. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 6:71–79.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbosa AC, Boischio AA, East GA, Ferrari I, Gonçalvez A, Silvia PRM, Da Cruz TME (1995) Mercury contamination in the Brazilian Amazon. Environmental and occupational aspects. Water Air Soil Pollut 80:109–121.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbosa AC, Silva SRL, Dorea JG (1998) Concentration of mercury in hair of indigenous mothers and infants from the Amazon Basin. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 34:100–105.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batista J, Schuhmacher M, Domingo J, Corbella J (1996) Mercury in hair for a child population from Tarragona Province, Spain. Sci Total Environ 193:143–148.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bencko V (1995) Use of human hair as a biomarker in the assessment of exposure to pollutants in occupational and environmental settings. Toxicology 101:29–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bidone ED, Castilhos ZC, Cid de Souza TM, Lacerda LD (1997) Fish contamination and human exposure to mercury in the Tapajos riverine basin, Para state, Amazon, Brazil: a screening approach. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 59:194–201.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blayney MB (2001) The need for empirically derived permeation data for personal protective equipment: the death of Dr. Karen E. Wetterhahn. Appl Occup Environ Hyg 16(2):233–236.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bloom NS (1992) On the chemical form of mercury in edible fish and marine invertebrate tissue. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 49:1010–1017.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boischio AAP, Cernichiari E (1998) Longitudinal hair mercury concentration in riverside mothers along the upper Madeira. River Brazil. Environ Res 77:79–83.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boischio AAP, Henshel DS (1996) Risk assessment of mercury exposure through fish consumption by the riverside people in the Madeira basin, Amazon, 1991. Neurotoxicology 17(1);169–176.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bou-Olayan A, Al-Yakoob S (1994) Mercury in human hair: a study of residents in Kuwait. J Environ Sci Health A29:1541–1551.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Budtz-Jørgensen E, Keiding N, Grandjean P, Weihe P, White RF (2003) Consequences of exposure measurement error for confounder identification in environmental epidemiology. Stat Med 22:3089–3100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buzina R, Stegnar P, Buzina-Suboticanec K, Horvat M, Petric I, Farley TMM (1995) Dietary mercury intake and human exposure in an Adriatic population. Sci Total Environ 170:199–208.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll RJ (1998) Measurement error in epidemiologic studies. In: Armitage P, Colton T (eds) Encyclopedia of Biostatistics. Wiley, Chichester, pp 2491–2519.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cernichiari E, Toribara T, Liang L, Marsh D, Berline M, Myers G, Cox C, Shamlaye C, Choisy O, Davidson P, Clarkson T (1995) The biological monitoring of mercury in the Seychelles study. Neurotoxicology 16:613–628.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang LW (1996) Toxicology of Metals. Boca Raton, Lewis, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi BH, Lapham LW, Amin-Zaki L, Saleem T (1978) Abnormal neuronal migration, deranged cerebral cortical organization, and diffuse white matter astrocytosis of human fetal brain: a major effect of methylmercury poisoning in utero. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 37(6):719–733.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clarkson TW (1997) The toxicology of mercury. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 34:369–403.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clarkson TW, Friberg L, Nordberg GF, Sager PR (1988) Biological monitoring of toxic metals. Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig PJ (ed) (1986) Organometallic Compounds in the Environment: Principles and Reactions. Longman, Leicester, UK, pp 65–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickman MD, Leung CKM, Leong MKH (1998) Hong Kong male subfertility links to mercury in human hairs and fish. Sci Total Environ 214:165–174.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon R, Jones B (1994) Mercury concentrations in stomach contents and muscle of five species from the North East Coast of England. Mar Pollut Bull 28:741–745.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dolbec J, Mergler D, Sousa Passos CJ, Sousa de Morais S, Lebel J (2000) Methylmercury exposure affects motor performance of a river in the population of the Tapajos River, Brazilian Amazon. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 73(3):195–203.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dolbec J, Mergler D, Larribe F, Roulet M, Lebel J, Lucotte M (2001) Sequential analysis of hair mercury levels in relation to fish diet of an Amazonian population, Brazil. Sci Total Environ 271(1–3):87–97.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duffy LK, Kaiser C, Ackley C, Richter KS (2001) Mercury in the hair of large Alaskan herbivores: routes of exposure. Alces 37:293–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duffy LK, Duffy RS, Finstad G, Gerlach C (2005) A note on mercury levels in the hair of Alaskan reindeer. Sci Total Environ 339:273–276.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ebinghaus R, Hintelmann H, Wilken RD (1994) Mercury cycling in surface waters and in the atmosphere: species analysis for the investigation of transformation and transport properties of mercury. Fresenius J Anal Chem 350:21–29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Egeland GM, Middaugh JP (1997) Balancing fish consumption benefits with mercury exposure. Science 278:1904–1905.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Egeland GM, Feyk LA, Middaugh JP (1998) Use of traditional foods in a healthy diet in Alaska: risks in perspective. State Alaska Epidemiol Bull. Recommend Rep 2(1):140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eto K (2000) Minamata disease. Neuropathology (suppl) 20:S14–S19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans RD, Addison EM, Villeneuve JY, MacDonald KS, Joachim DG (1998) An examination of spatial variation in mercury concentrations in otter (Lutra canadensis) in south-central Ontario. Sci Total Environ 213:2399–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiedler N, Udasin I, Gochfeld M, Buckler G, Kelly McNeil K, Kipen H (1999) Neuropsychological and stress evaluation of a residential mercury exposure. Environ Health Perspect 107(5):343–347.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald W (1995) Is mercury increasing in the atmosphere? The need for an atmospheric mercury network (AMNET). Water Air Soil Pollut 80(1):245–254.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fleming L, Watkins S, Kaderman R, Levin B, Ayyar D, Bizzio M, Stephens D, Bean J (1995) Mercury exposure in humans through food consumption from the Everglades of Florida. Water Air Soil Pollut 80:41–48.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foo SC, Tan TC (1998) Elements in the hair of Southeast Asian islanders. Sci Total Environ 209:185–192.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foo SC, Ngim CH, Phoon WO, Lee J (1988) Mercury in scalp hair of healthy Singapore residents. Sci Total Environ 72:113–122.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foo SC, Khoo NY, Heng A, Chua LH, Chia SE, Ong CN, Ngim CH, Jeyaratnam J (1993) Metals in hair as biological indices for exposure. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 65(1 suppl):S83–S86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Futatsuka M, Kitano T, Shono M, Fukuda Y, Ushijima K, Inaoka T, Nagano M, Wakamiya J, Miyamoto K (2000) Health surveillance in the population living in a methylmercury polluted area over a long period. Environ Res 83(2):83–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galster WA (1976) Mercury in Alaskan Eskimo mothers and infants. Environ Health Perspect 15:135–140.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grandjean P (1984) Lead poisoning: hair analysis shows the calendar of events. Hum Toxicol 3:223–228.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grandjean P, Weihe P, Nielsen JB (1994) Methylmercury: significance of intrauterine and postnatal exposures. Clin Chem 40:1395–1400.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grandjean P, Budtz-Jørgense, E, White RF, Jørgensen PJ, Weihe P, Debes F, Keiding N (1999) Methylmercury exposure biomarkers as indicators of neurotoxicity in 7-year-old children. Am J Epidemiol 150:301–305.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grandjean P, Jørgensen PJ, Weihe P (2002) Validity of mercury exposure biomarkers. In: Wilson SH, Suk WA (eds) Biomarkers of Environmentally Associated Disease. CRC Press/Lewis, Boca Raton, FL, pp 235–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guimaraes JR, Roulet M, Lucotte M, Mergler D (2000) Mercury methylation along a lake-forest transect in the Tapajos river floodplain, Brazilian Amazon: seasonal and vertical variations. Sci Total Environ 261(1–3):1–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hać E, Krzyżanowski M, Krechniak J (2000) Total mercury in human renal cortex, liver, cerebellum and hair. Sci Total Environ 248:37–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harada M (1995) Minamata disease: methylmercury poisoning in Japan caused by environmental pollution. Crit Rev Toxicol 25:1–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harada M, Nakaniski J, Konuma S, Ohno K, Kimura T, Yanaguchi H, Tsuruta K, Kizaki T, Ookawara T, Ohno H (1998) The present mercury contents of scalp hair and clinical symptoms in inhabitants of the Minamata area. Environ Res A 77:160–164.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harada M, Nakachi S, Cheu T, Hamada H, Ono Y, Tsuda T, Yanagida K, Kizaki T, Ohno H (1999) Monitoring of mercury pollution in Tanzania: relation between head hair mercury and health. Sci Total Environ 227:249–256.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holsbeek L, Das HK, Joris CR (1996) Mercury in human hair and relation to fish consumption in Bangladesh. Sci Total Environ 189:181–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hörsted-Bindslev P (2004) Amalgam toxicity—environmental and occupational hazards. J Dent 32:359–365.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huel G, Everson RB, Menger I (1984) Increased hair cadmium in newborns of women occupationally exposed to heavy metals. Environ Res 35:115–121.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JECFA (2003) Summary and Conclusions of the 61st Meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). JECFA/61/SC. FAO, Rome, Italy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelman BJ, Walter BK, Sasser LB (1982) Fetal distribution of mercury following introduction of methylmercury into porcine maternal circulation. J Toxicol Environ Health 10:191–200.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kondo K (2000) Congenital Minamata disease: warnings from Japan’s experience. J Child Neurol 2000;15(7):458–464.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kurland LT, Faro SN, Siedler H (1960) Minamata disease. World Neurol 1(4):370–395.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kyle J, Ghani N (1983) Mercury concentrations in canned and fresh fish and its accumulation in a population of Port Moresby residents. Sci Total Environ 26:157–162.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lind B, Friberg L, Nylander M (1988) Preliminary studies on methylmercury biotransformation and clearance in the brain of primates. II. Demethylation of mercury in brain. J Trace Elem Exp Med 1:49–56.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindberg A, Ask Björnberg K, Vahter M, Berglund M (2004) Exposure of methylmercury in non-fish-eating people in Sweden. Environ Res 96:28–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lodenius M, Seppaenen A, Herranen M (1983) Accumulation of mercury in fish and man from reservoirs in northern Finland. Water Air Soil Pollut 19:237–246.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • López-Artiguez M, Grilo A, Martinez D, Soria ML, Muñez L, Ruano E, Moreno E, García-Fuente F, Repetto M (1994) Mercury and methylmercury in population risk groups on the Atlantic Coast of Southern Spain. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 27:415–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malm O, Pfeiffer WC, Souza CMM, Reuther R (1990) Mercury pollution due to gold mining in the Madeira river basin, Brazil. Ambio 19:11–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malm O, Branches F, Akagi H, Castro M, Pfeiffer W, Harada M, Bastos W, Kato H (1995) Mercury and methylmercury in fish and human hair from the Tapajos river basin, Brazil. Sci Total Environ 175:141–150.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh D, Turner M, Smith J, Allen P, Richale V (1995) Fetal methylmercury study in Peruvian fish-eating population. Neurotoxicology 16:717–726.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mason RP, Reinfelder JR, Morel FMM (1995) Bioaccumulation of mercury and methylmercury. Water Air Soil Pollut 80:915–921.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsubara J, Machida K (1985) Significance of elemental analysis of hair as a means of detecting environmental pollution. Environ Res 38:225–238.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto H, Koya G, Takeuchi T (1965) Fetal Minamata disease: A neuropathological study of two cases of intrauterine intoxication by a methyl mercury compound. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 24:563–574.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuo N, Suzuki T, Akagi H (1989) Mercury concentration in organs of contemporary Japanese. Arch Environ Health 44:298–303.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mempel M, Chau YK, Dutka BJ, McInnis R, Kwan KK, Liu D (1995) Toxicity of organomercury compounds: bioassay results as a basis for risk assessment. Analyst 120:721–724.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreiras O, Cuadrado C (1992) Theoretical study of the intake of trace elements (nutrients and contaminations) via total diet in some geographical areas of Spain. Biol Trace Elem Res 32:93–103.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mortada WI, Sobh MA, El-Defrawy MM, Farahat SE (2002) Referene intervals of cadmium, lead and mercury in blood, urine, hair, and nails among residents in Mansoura City, Nile delta, Egypt. Environ Res A 90:104–110.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moszczynski P, Moszczynski P (1990) Current views on biotransformation and metabolism of mercury (in Polish). Post Hig Med Dośw 44:153–180.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller KA, Matz AC (2002) Water quality, and metal and metalloid concentrations in water, sediment, and fish tissues from Innoko National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 1995–1997. Tech Rep NAES-TR-02-01. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northern Alaska Ecological Services, Fairbanks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller KA, Snyder-Conn E, Doyle T (1993) Contaminant baseline data for water, sediments, and fish of Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 1987–1988. Tech Rep PnuNAES-TR-93-02. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northern Alaska Ecological Services, Fairbanks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller KA, Snyder-Conn E, Bertram M (1996) Water quality, and metal and metalloid contaminants in sediments and fish of Koyukuk, Nowitna, and the northern unit of Innoko National Wildlife Refuges, Alaska, 1991. Tech Rep NAES-TR-96-01. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Northern Alaska Ecological Services, Fairbanks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muramatsu Y, Parr RM (1988) Concentrations of some trace elements in hair, liver and kidney from autopsy subjects: relationship between hair and internal organs. Sci Total Environ 76:29–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muszyńska-Zimna E (1982) Total mercury content in the hair and urine of individuals inhabiting the region of Łódź and being not professionally exposed to the said element (in Polish). Bromat Chem Toksykol 10:127–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagakawa R (1995) Concentration of mercury in hair of Japanese people. Chemosphere 30:127–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • New Jersey Mercury Task Force (2001) Mercury in New Jersey. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nierenberg DW, Nordgren RE, Chang MB, Siegler RW, Blayney MB, Hochberg F, Toribara TY, Cernichiari E, Clarkson T (1998) Delayed cerebellar disease and death after accidental exposure to dimethylmercury. N Engl J Med 338(23):1672–1676.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nowak B (1996) Occurrence of heavy metals, sodium, calcium and potassium in human hair, teeth, and nails. Biol Trace Elem Res 52:11–22.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nylander M, Friberg L, Lind B (1987) Mercury concentrations in the human brain and kidneys in relation to exposure from dental amalgam fillings. Swed Dent J 11:179–187.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NRC (2000) Toxicological Effects of Methylmercury. National Research Council/National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohno H, Doi R, Tani Y, Harada M (1984) Mercury content of head hair from residents on the coast of Jakarta Bay. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 33:282–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olivero J, Mendoza C, Mestre J (1995) Hair mercury levels in different occupational groups in southern Bolivar (Columbia). Rev Sande-Publ SAO Paulo 29:376–379.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ong CN, Chia SE, Foo SC, Ong HY, Tsakok M, Liouw P (1993) Concentrations of heavy metals in maternal and umbilical cord blood. BioMetals 6:61–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orloff KG, Ulirsch G, Wilder L, Block A, Fagliano J, Pasqualo J (1997) Human exposure to elemental mercury in a contaminated residential building. Arch Environ Health 52(3):169–172.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phelps RW, Clarkson TW, Kershaw TG, Wheatly B (1980) Interrelationships of blood and hair concentrations in North American population exposed to methylmercury. Arch Environ Health 35:161–167.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Philip O, Oyuah MD (2000) Mercury poisoning. Curr Probl Pediatr 30:91–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponce RA, Bartell SM, Kavanagh TJ, Woods JS, Griffith WC, Lee RC, Takaro TK, Faustman EM (1998) Uncertainty analysis methods for comparing predictive models and biomarkers: a case study of dietary methylmercury exposure. Reg Toxicol Pharmacol 28:96–105.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ROPME (1988) Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment. Results of project number: KA/5102 82 10(2363) rev.4. Survey of mercury in fish and sediments from the ROPME Sea Area (unpublished report). Prepared by IAEA-MESL, Monaco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roulet M, Lucotte M, Farella N, Serique G, Coelho H, Passos CJS, de Jesus da Silva E, de Andrade PS, Mergler D, Guimaraes JR, Amorim M (1999) Effects of recent human colonization on the presence of mercury in Amazonian ecosystems. Water Air Soil Pollut 112(3—4):297–313.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ryozo N (1995) Concentrations of mercury in hair of diseased people in Japan. Chemosphere 30:135–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos ECO, Jesus IM, Brabo ES, Loureiro ECB, Mascarenhas AF, Weirich J, Cãmara VM, Cleary D (2000) Human health in riverside Amazon communities living in exposed and not exposed areas to mercury pollution from gold mining. Environ Res 86:100–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos ECO, Jesus IM, Cãmara VM, Brabo ES, Loureiro ECB, Mascarenhas AF, Weirich J, Luiz RR, Cleary D (2002) Mercury exposure in Munduruku from the community of Sai Cinza, State of Pará, Brazil. Environ Res 90:98–103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarmani S, Koshy T, Zakaria Z (1985) Trace element analysis of human hair samples from rural and urban population of Selangor, Malaysia. In: Koh LL, Hew CS (eds) Proceedings of the Third Symposium on our Environment, 27–29 March 1984, Singapore. Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, pp 473–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarmani SB, Kiprawi AZ, Ismail RB (1994) Mercury determination in hair of Malaysian fishermen by neutron activation analysis. Biol Trace Elem Res 43–45:435–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuhmacher M, Batista J, Bosque MA, Domingo JL, Corbella J (1994) Mercury concentrations in marine species from the coastal area of Tarragona Province, Spain. Dietary intake of mercury through fish and seafood consumption. Sci Total Environ 156:269–273.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Segade SR, Tyson J (2003) Determination of inorganic mercury and total mercury in biological and environmental samples by flow injection-cold vapor-atomic absorption spectrometry using sodium borohydride as the sole reducing agent. Spectrochim Acta Part B 58:797–807.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seppänen K, Kantola M, Lattikainen R, Nyyssönen K, Valkonen V-P, Salomen JT (2000) Effect of supplementation with organic selenium on mercury status as measured by in public hair. J Trace Elem Med Biol 14:84–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith JC, Farris FF (1996) Methyl mercury pharmacokinetics in man: a reevaluation. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 137:245–252.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SNFA (Swedish National Food Administration) (2002) Kostråd och näringsrekommendationer (in Swedish). Swedish National Food Administration, Uppsala, Sweden. http://www.sl.se (Accessed March 2002.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Srikumar TS, Ockerman PA, Akesson B (1992) Trace element status in vegetarians from southern India. Nutr Res 12:187–198.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srikumar TS, Kaligard A, Lindeberg S, Ockerman PA, Akesson B (1994) Trace element concentrations in hair of subjects from two South Pacific Islands Atafu Tokelau and Kitava Papua New Guinea. J Trace Elem Electrolytes Health Dis 8:21–26.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srogi K (2004) Concentrations of cadmium and copper in the natural medicinal plants. Bromatol Chem Toksykol 37(3):291–294.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srogi K (2005) Determination of cadmium and lead in the hairs of people from the Silesia region. Bromatol Chem Toksykol 38(1):67–74.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stern AH, Smith AE (2003) An assessment of the cord blood: maternal blood methylmercury ratio: implications for risk assessment. Environ Health Perspect 111:1465–1470.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stern AH, Gochfeld M, Weisel C, Burger J (2001) Mercury and methylmercury exposure in the New Jersey pregnant population. Arch Environ Health 56(1):4–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart CP, Stolman A (1961) Toxicology. Mechanisms and Analytical Methods, vol II. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki T (1988) Hair and nails: advantages and pitfalls when used in biological monitoring. In: Clarkson TW, Friberg L, Nordgerg GF, Sager PR (eds) Biological Monitoring of Toxic Metals. Plenum Press, New York, pp 623–641.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki T, Yamamoto R (1982) Organic mercury levels in human hair with and without storage for eleven years. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 28:186–188.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki T, Hongo T, Yoshinaga J, Imaitt, Nakazawa M, Matsuo N, Akagi H (1993) The hair-organ relationship in mercury concentration in contemporary Japanese. Arch Environ Health 48:221–229.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swartout J, Rice G (2000) Uncertainty analysis of the estimated ingestion rates used to derive the methylmercury reference dose. Drug Chem Toxicol 23:293–306.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takeuchi T, Hayashi T, Takada J (1982) Variation of elemental concentration in hair of the Japanese in term of age, sex and hair treatment. J Radioanal Chem 70:29–55.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsuchiya H, Mitani K, Kodama K, Nakata T (1984) Placental transfer of heavy metals in normal pregnant Japanese women. Arch Environ Health 39:11–17.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Turner MD, Marsh DO, Smith JC, Inglis JB, ClarksoN TW, Rubio CE, Chiriboga J, Chiriboga CC (1980) Methylmercury in populations eating large quantities of marine fish. Arch Environ Health 35:367–378.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) (1997) Report to Congress: Mercury. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • US EPA (2001) Water Quality Criterion for the Protection of Human Health: Methylmercury. Final. EPA-823-R-01-001. Washington, DC. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/methylmercury/document.html (accessed August 15, 2003).

    Google Scholar 

  • Valentino L, Torregrossa M, Saliba L (1995) Health effects of mercury ingested through consumption of sea food. Pollut Medit Sea 32:41–47.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watt J (2001) Mercury poisoning victims could increase by 20,000. Lancet 358:1349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weihe P, Grandjean P, Debes F, White R (1996) Health implications for Faroe Islanders of heavy metals and PCBs from pilot whales. Sci Total Environ 186:141–148.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weiner JA, Nylander M (1995) An estimation of the uptake of mercury from amalgam fillings based on urinary excretion of mercury in Swedish subjects. Sci Total Environ 168:255–265.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler M (1996) Measuring mercury. Environ Health Perspect 104:826–830.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiadrowska B, Syrowatka T (1983) Assessment of total mercury content in human tissues. II. Mercury content of human hairs in the general population and in subjects with occupational exposure to mercury vapours. Roczn PZH 34:87–94.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiadrowska B, Syrowatka T, Mazurek J (1983) Evaluation of total mercury content of human tissues III. Mercury content of human kidneys and brain in the general population. Roczn PZH 34:171–174.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (1989) Toxicological evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. In: WHO Food Additives Series. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, pp 295–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (1990) International Programme on Chemical Safety. Environmental Health Criteria 101: Methylmercury. World Health Organization, Geneva.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamaguchi S, Matsumoto H, Kaku S, Tateishi M, Shiramizu M (1975) Factors affecting the amount of mercury in human scalp hair. Am J Public Health 1975; 65:484–488.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto R, Suzuki T (1978) Effects of artificial hair-waving on hair mercury values. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 42:1–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yasutake A, Matsumoto M, Yamaguchi M, Hachiya N (2003) Current hair mercury levels in Japanese: survey in five districts. Tohoku J Exp Med 199:161–169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zaki R, Abdulraheem M (1973) Distribution of trace metals in the marine environment of Kuwait (final data report). Ministry of Public Health, Kuwait.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Inorganic Chemsitry, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 6, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland

    Krystyna Srogi

Authors
  1. Krystyna Srogi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. 5794 F. Camino del Celador, Tucson, Arizona, 85750, USA

    George W. Ware

  2. University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, Florida, 33850, USA

    Herbert N. Nigg

  3. 7719 12th Street, Paron, Arkansas, 72122, USA

    Daniel R. Doerge

  4. Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

    Lilia A. Albert

  5. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Pim de Voogt

  6. Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Charles P. Gerba

  7. Bayreuth, Germany

    O. Hutzinger

  8. Getzville, New York, USA

    James B. Knaak

  9. Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA

    Foster L. Mayer

  10. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

    D. P. Morgan

  11. Cabot, Arkansas, USA

    Douglas L. Park

  12. Davis, California, USA

    Ronald S. Tjeerdema

  13. Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

    Raymond S. H. Yang

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2007 Springer

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Srogi, K. (2007). Mercury Content of Hair in Different Populations Relative to Fish Consumption. In: Whitacre, D.M., et al. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, vol 189. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35368-5_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation