Mercury Content of Hair in Different Populations Relative to Fish Consumption

Author(s):  
Krystyna Srogi
2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 981-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Sanzo ◽  
M Dorronsoro ◽  
P Amiano ◽  
A Amurrio ◽  
FX Aguinagalde ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To estimate mercury intake due to fish consumption among the individuals from Gipuzkoa participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC), and to validate the estimation of mercury exposure through diet, by measuring blood mercury level.Design and setting:The population for the EPIC Gipuzkoa cohort was recruited from 1992 to 1995. Each individual's diet was assessed regarding habitual intake over the previous year, using the diet history method. Blood samples were taken at the time of the interview. The mercury content of the fish species consumed was supplied by the Food Chemical Surveillance Programme in the Basque Country.Subjects:For the estimation, 8417 volunteers, men and women, aged 35–65 years, of the EPIC cohort; for the validation, a random sample of 120 individuals stratified by fish intake was taken.Results:The validation study confirmed the relationship between fish consumption and mercury intake, as well as between fish consumption and mercury in erythrocytes. 99.9% of individuals have intakes below 75% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) of mercury established by the World Health Organization. But the limit dosage recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, measured by the average risk index, would be exceeded often.Conclusions:No individual from the cohort would exceed the PTWI of mercury. Nevertheless, owing to the amount of fish consumed, certain individuals would have mercury intakes approaching the recommended limits. With a view to the future, we believe mercury in fish must continue to be monitored closely in order to assess the risks for the population.


2003 ◽  
Vol 127 (12) ◽  
pp. 1603-1605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy E. Foran ◽  
James G. Flood ◽  
Kent B. Lewandrowski

Abstract Context.—Fish consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of coronary artery disease. Recent studies have illustrated that the high mercury content in cold-water fish may negate the cardiovascular benefits of fish meals. Fish oils have similar antiatherogenic properties to fish, and similar studies should be performed to determine the level of mercury in fish oils. Objective.—To determine the concentration of mercury in 5 over-the-counter brands of fish oil. Results.—The levels of mercury in the 5 different brands of fish oil ranged from nondetectable (<6 μg/L) to negligible (10–12 μg/L). The mercury content of fish oil was similar to the basal concentration normally found in human blood. Conclusions.—Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and their consumption is recommended to decrease the risk of coronary artery disease. However, fish such as swordfish and shark are also a source of exposure to the heavy metal toxin, mercury. The fish oil brands examined in this manuscript have negligible amounts of mercury and may provide a safer alternative to fish consumption.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci are highly polymorphic and determine differential features of the immune response in subjects from different regions. HLA genes have been proposed to determine genetic susceptibility to several diseases, particularly to viral infections. Moreover, it has been suggested that each ethnic group could have a different specificity of T-lymphocyte reactivity to the same viral infections. In this review, we analyzed the distribution of HLA types in countries of the Asian, European and North African region. Also, we studied the relation between these HLA polymorphisms and susceptibility to infection by the coronavirus. Our findings indicated that homozygosity would increase susceptibility to viral infections and, in some cases, to coronavirus infection. HLA types showing higher susceptibility were reported in Asian population, including China, Singapore, and Taiwan. In contrast, lower susceptibility HLA variants were detected among African populations, some Asian populations, and Mediterranean populations. The presented evidence along with the spread pattern of COVID-19 infection suggests that HLA genetic variants might be related to its infection susceptibility and severity. The investigation of HLA genetic variants distribution would be a useful tool to predict different populations’ susceptibility to viral infections.


1986 ◽  
Vol 113 (4_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S93-S97 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. FERRANDEZ ◽  
E. MAYAYO ◽  
M. RODRIGUEZ ◽  
J.M. ARNAL ◽  
J. CARO ◽  
...  

Abstract The differences existing among some european longitudinal growth studies make it necessary to be cautious in the use of standards constructed on different populations. The improvement of the environmental conditions during the last 20 years is probably the most important cause of the "catch-up" phenomenon of the spanish stature. It is probable that racial characteristics also play a role, even in the same country as can be appreciated on comparing two spanish longitudinal studies based on children originary from different regions. All of wich indicates the need to use own standards in those countries wich, like ours, have lived through a period of intenses changes. Even exploratory studies of regional differences in the same country seem necesary.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 61-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. I. Monchenko ◽  
L. P. Gaponova ◽  
V. R. Alekseev

Crossbreeding experiments were used to estimate cryptic species in water bodies of Ukraine and Russia because the most useful criterion in species independence is reproductive isolation. The problem of cryptic species in the genus Eucyclops was examined using interpopulation crosses of populations collected from Baltic Sea basin (pond of Strelka river basin) and Black Sea basin (water-reservoires of Dnieper, Dniester and Danube rivers basins). The results of reciprocal crosses in Eucyclops serrulatus-group are shown that E. serrulatus from different populations but from water bodies belonging to the same river basin crossed each others successfully. The interpopulation crosses of E. serrulatus populations collected from different river basins (Dnipro, Danube and Dniester river basins) were sterile. In this group of experiments we assigned evidence of sterility to four categories: 1) incomplete copulation or absence of copulation; 2) nonviable eggs; 3) absence of egg membranes or egg sacs 4) empty egg membranes. These crossbreeding studies suggest the presence of cryptic species in the E. serrulatus inhabiting ecologically different populations in many parts of its range. The same crossbreeding experiments were carries out between Eucyclops serrulatus and morphological similar species – Eucyclops macruroides from Baltic and Black Sea basins. The reciprocal crossings between these two species were sterile. Thus taxonomic heterogeneity among species of genus Eucyclops lower in E. macruroides than in E. serrulatus. The interpopulation crosses of E. macruroides populations collected from distant part of range were fertile. These crossbreeding studies suggest that E. macruroides species complex was evaluated as more stable than E. serrulatus species complex.


Author(s):  
Jonathan M Gendzier

Exposure to organic mercury (methylmercury) occurs almost universally due to ingestion via contaminated fish and shellfish tissue. Ultimate sources of mercury consist of air release by domestic industrial combustion, mining, and international mercury emissions transported via a global cycle. Deposition of mercury from air to surface waters results in methylation to organic methylmercury and bioaccumulation in the aquatic food web. Health effects from methylmercury exposure consist mainly of neurological and neurodevelopmental effects, with fetuses particularly sensitive. Thus regulation of methylmercury exposure has concentrated on acceptable exposure levels and reference doses aimed toward protecting developing fetuses. The risk of methylmercury exposure in humans is regulated largely by the federal government, especially by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The EPA imposes limits on mercury emissions and seeks to research methylmercury levels in fish and humans. The EPA sets a reference dose for methylmercury exposure. The FDA conducts uses date on methylmercury levels in fish to advise consumers on how to make informed decisions regarding fish consumption. There are numerous shortcoming to government regulation of this issue. Further scientific research, improved implementation of available data and scientific conclusions, and improved public communication of risk would all lead to more effective treatment of the risk of methylmercury exposure via ingestion of fish and shellfish. This could include more effective monitoring systems of human and fish methylmercury levels, research into the process of bioaccumulation, and implementation of stricter fish labeling standards, as well as research into higher-risk subpopulations allowing for targeted standards and recommendations.


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