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Purpose The purpose of this work is to study mercury levels in the hair of different social and demographic groups of the population of the Vologda region in Northwest Russia. This region is selected due to a heterogeneous distribution of rivers and lakes-a resource base for fishing. Methods The mercury content was determined in the hair from the root with a length of about 2 cm. The concentration of total mercury in human hair was determined by the atomic absorption method without preliminary sample preparation using an RA-915M mercury analyzer and a PYRO-915 + pyrolysis unit. Results The average level of mercury in the human hair was 0.445 μg/g (median 0.220 μg/g). The concentration of mercury in the hair of people older than 44 years (0.875 μg/g) was three times higher than in the hair of children under 18 years of age (0.270 μg/g). People who eat fish less than once per month had a hair mercury concentration of 0.172 μg/g, for 1-2 times a month 0.409 μg/g, once a week 0.555 μg/g, and several times a week 0.995 μg/g. The concentration of mercury in the hair of smokers (0.514 μg/g) was higher than in the hair of non-smokers (0.426 μg/g). Conclusion Significantly higher concentrations of mercury were observed in the hair of participants from the western part of the region, where reservoirs are the main commercial sources of fish products. The data showed that the main source of people's mercury intake was fish.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate hair essential and trace element levels and metabolic risk markers in overweight and obese subjects in relation to body mercury burden. According to 2 × 2 factorial design a total of 440 adults were distributed to four groups: (i) low-Hg normal-weight subjects (n = 114); (ii) high-Hg normal weight subjects (n = 113); (iii) low-Hg overweight (BMI > 25) subjects (n = 110); (iv) high-Hg overweight (BMI > 25) subjects (n = 110). Hg-exposed groups consisted of subjects characterized by frequent seafood consumption (> 4 times/week) subsequently evaluated by hair analysis (> 0.58 μg/g). Dietary-exposed subjects were characterized by a more than 3-fold higher hair Hg content irrespectively of body weight values. Both low-Hg and high-Hg overweight subjects were characterized by significantly higher ALT activity, as well as elevated serum glucose, LDL, and triglyceride levels as compared to the respective groups of normal weight subjects. High Hg body burden had a more significant effect on metabolic parameters in overweight and obese adults. Particularly, high-Hg overweight subjects were characterized by significantly higher serum creatinine and uric acid levels, as well as increased GGT and CK activity as compared to low-Hg overweight counterparts. In addition, hair Mg, Mn, and Sr content in high-Hg overweight subjects was significantly lower than that in low-Hg normal weight and overweight examinees. In turn, high Hg levels in overweight subjects were associated with significantly higher hair Se and Zn levels when compared to unexposed overweight adults. Generally, the obtained data demonstrate that increased hair Hg levels in overweight and obese subjects is associated with adverse metabolic profile. It is proposed that observed metabolic alterations may be at least partially mediated by Hg-associated disturbances in essential trace element and mineral metabolism.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the level of blood and hair mercury transition in rabbits depending on the number of amalgam filled teeth in the mouth. Material and Methods: A total of 18 male rabbits from New Zealand were used in the study. The rabbits were separated into three groups in this study. The first group was named as control group, the second group was named as dichotomous filled group, and the third group was named as quadruple amalgam filled group. Blood samples were collected from filler animals before the filling, at 24 hour, at the first week and month and also hair samples were taken before the filling and at the first month. The transfer of mercury, taken by the blood and feather samples of rabbits in the study, was made with the hydride system in the absorption spectrophometer. Results: The data’s, obtained from the study, were evaluated by using the SPSS 21 package program. Compared by the control group at the 24th hour, any statically difference wasn’t seen between dichotomous and quadruple amalgam filling groups in terms of blood mercury level. (P>0.05). However, the level of blood mercury, one week and one month later was significantly higher than the control group.(P0.05). Conclusions: Mercury couldn’t be detected in hair samples. As a result, it was revealed that amalgam filling affects the blood mercury level. How to cite this article: Yerebasan Ü, Servi K, Ataş O, Doğan MS. The determination of mercury levels in the blood and hair of rabbits with amalgam fillings. Int Dent Res 2020;10(1):12-16. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.2020.vol10.no1.3 Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

Mercury (Hg) is one of the heavy metals of concern for fish-eating populations. This pollutant can be released from many sources and generates diverse toxic effects in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate hematological parameters and their relationship with total Hg (T-Hg) levels in the hair of adolescents from Tierrabomba, an island close to an industrialized area, and also from San Onofre, a reference site. Blood and hair samples were collected from 194 individuals, aged 11–18 years old, as well as sociodemographic and dietary information. The hematological profile showed marked differences between the two sites. Mean values for almost all variables of the red blood cell line, as well as lymphocyte percentage (LYM%) and monocyte percentage (MID%), were greater in Tierrabomba. In contrast, red cell distribution width (RDW), white blood cells (WBC), granulocyte percentage (GRA%), and plateletcrit (PTC) were higher at the reference site. Total Hg mean in Tierrabomba was 1.10 ± 0.07 μg/g, while at San Onofre, it was 1.87 ± 0.11 μg/g. In both places, more than 49% of participants had Hg concentrations over the limit threshold (1 μg/g). Overall mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and T-Hg showed a negative correlation (r = − 0.162, p = 0.024). However, positive associations were observed between T-Hg and MID% for Tierrabomba (r = 0.193, p = 0.041), and between T-Hg and mixed cells (MID) for the reference site (r = 0.223, p = 0.044). A significant relationship was found for fish consumption frequency and T-Hg levels (r = 0.360, p

In the present study, we assessed mercury exposure of residents of different sites of Valparaiso Region (Chile) due to fish consumption and atmospheric contamination from coal-burning power plant and copper smelter. Total mercury concentration was determined in 199 hair samples and in 14 species of marine fish, purchased in the supermarket or collected in the studied fishing villages. The total mercury (THg) concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 1.78 μg g-1 in human hair samples and from 0.04 to 3.87 μg g-1 in fish samples. Importantly, hair mercury concentration was significantly higher in the case of population exposed to mercury exclusively by fish consumption (e.g. Quintay and Zapallar), in comparison to the residents exposed to industrial emissions and fish consumption (e.g. Puchuncavi, Las Ventanas, Quintero). Finally, high mercury concentrations were observed in fish types commonly consumed by the residents of the fishing villages, evidencing human exposure to mercury through fish consumption.

ObjectiveLong-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from fish have been inversely associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Fish may also contain methylmercury, which has been associated with higher CHD risk and may diminish the cardioprotective effect of long-chain omega-3 PUFA. We investigated the associations of serum long-chain omega-3 PUFA and hair mercury with the odds for myocardial ischaemia during exercise.MethodsA total of 2199 men from the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study, aged 42–60 years were studied in 1984–89. Of the 2199 men, 342 had history of CHD. The men performed a maximal symptom-limited exercise stress test using an electrically braked bicycle ergometer. ORs for exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia were estimated with logistic regression.ResultsIn the multivariable analysis, those in the highest versus lowest serum long-chain omega-3 PUFA quartile had 33% lower odds of myocardial ischaemia (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.87, p-trend=0.006). The association was stronger among those with CHD history (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.39, p-trend ConclusionHigher circulating concentrations of the long-chain omega-3 PUFAs, a marker for fish consumption, were associated with lower occurrence of exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia, but only among men with CHD history. Hair mercury concentration was directly associated with the occurrence of exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia in the entire study population.

Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) from consuming contaminated fish has been a major concern for decades. Besides, human MeHg exposure through rice consumption has been recently found to be important in some Asian countries. China is the largest country on mercury (Hg) production, consumption, and anthropogenic emission. However, the health risks of human Hg exposure are not fully understood. A total of 624 fish, 299 rice, and 994 human hair samples were collected from typical Hg-contaminated areas and major fish-rich areas to assess the health risks from human Hg exposure in China. Fish and rice samples showed relatively low Hg levels, except the rice in the Wanshan Hg mining area (WMMA). Human hair total Hg (THg) and MeHg concentrations were significantly elevated in WMMA, Zhoushan (ZS), Xiamen (XM), Qingdao (QD), and zinc smelting area (ZSA), and 85% of hair samples in WMMA, 62% in ZS, 40% in XM, 26% in QD, and 17% in ZSA had THg concentrations exceeding the limit set by the USEPA (1 μg/g). Rice consumption was the main pathway (>85%) for human MeHg exposure in the studied Hg-contaminated areas. Meanwhile, fish was the primary human MeHg exposure source (>85%) in coastal cities. Therefore, soil remediation in typical Hg-contaminated areas and scientific guidance for fish consumption in coastal provinces are urgently needed to reduce the health risks from human Hg exposure in China.

ObjectiveThe primary objective of this participatory study was to assess the current body burden of mercury among First Nations adults.MethodsThe First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (2008–2018) collected regionally representative data from First Nations adults living on reserves south of the 60thparallel. Mercury was analyzed in hair as a preferred biomarker for prolonged exposure. Hair samples, a 5 mm bundle cut from the occipital region, were collected from the participants who gave consent and measured for total mercury concentrations using cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry.ResultsIn total, 3404 First Nations adults living in 92 communities provided hair samples. This represents 52.5% of the respondents to the household surveys. The mean hair mercury concentrations were 0.56 μg/g among all participants and 0.34 μg/g among women of childbearing age (WCBA). There were 64 exceedances of Health Canada’s mercury biomonitoring guidelines (44 WCBA, 8 women aged 51+ years, 3 men aged 19–50 years, and 9 men aged 51+ years).ConclusionCurrent mercury exposure no longer presents a significant clinical health risk in most of the First Nations population south of the 60thparallel across Canada. However, mercury exposure continues to be an ongoing environmental public health concern that requires continued monitoring and assessment. Women of childbearing age (19–50 years) and older individuals living in northern ecozones and Quebec have higher mercury exposures, often exceeding Health Canada’s guidelines. Careful risk communication and risk management programs need to focus on northern ecozones and Quebec.

Consumption of contaminated fish is the major source of the human exposure to total mercury (T-Hg) and methyl mercury. This study reports the fish consumption habits of three groups based on the age category and their occupation; “Children” (age 9-20 years) and two groups of “Adults” (age above 21 years) based on their occupation; “Adults-Fishermen” (fishermen) and “Adults-Other”. Hair T-Hg levels were measured from 30 individuals (age 9-48 years) from Negombo area in Sri Lanka. All individuals in this survey consumed fish at least six servings per week, which belongs to the high fish consumer category (> 3 servings/week) according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The main fish groups consumed by the respondents were mainly yellow-fin tuna (YFT), skipjack tuna (SKT), kawakawa and frigate tuna and small fish such as sardines (spotted sardines, goldstripe sardine, other sardines, scads and trevallies). The majority consumed an equal amount of big fish and small fish. The average weekly fish consumption per individual varied depending on the test group (Children; 1270 g/week per person, Adults-other; 1078 g/week per person and Adults-fishermen 1852 g/week per person) which exceeded United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) recommended level of 340 g/ week of seafood containing low concentration of Hg. The mean hair T-Hg of respondents of Negombo population was 4.89±3.23 µg/g (range 1.60-13.38 µg/g), which exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) reference dose (1 µg/g) for T-Hg level of hair. The total hair mercury in three respondent groups (Children 3.33±1.36 µg/g, Adults-other 2.89±1.26 µg/g and Adults-Fishermen 6.08±3.62 µg/g), were not significantly different (p>0.05) from each other. Real exposure value of three respondent groups were not significantly different (p>0.05). There was a low strength positive correlation (r=0.353, p>0.05) between hair T-Hg levels with the weekly large fish consumption.

Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) during the foetal and postnatal periods is known to have adverse effects on children's development. However, little attention has been paid to MeHg exposure during early childhood in Japan. To examine the regional differences in MeHg exposure and seafood consumption and the association between MeHg exposure and seafood consumption and dental metal restorations, we measured the total mercury (T-Hg) concentration in hair as an MeHg exposure index, and using questionnaires, we measured the frequency and amount of seafood consumption and the presence of dental metal restorations in 118 children aged 3-6 years in five regions of Japan. The arithmetic and geometric means of the T-Hg concentrations in hair were 1.03 and 0.87 ppm, respectively, and approximately 40% of the children exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommendation of 1.0 ppm. Significant regional differences in the hair T-Hg concentrations were found among the five regions, and the regional differences were consistent with the traditional regional patterns of eating fatty fish. According to the regression analysis, the consumption of fatty fish, particularly tuna/swordfish, had a significant effect on hair T-Hg concentrations, whereas age, sex, the materials used for dental metal restorations, and other types of seafood or fish/shellfish had no significant effects.

Objective Describe mercury exposures among women of childbearing age before and after an educational intervention. Methods Women age 18 to 45 were recruited to participate in an educational intervention concerning fish consumption. Fish consumption habits and total mercury concentration in hair were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Regression models examined associations between mercury, fish consumption, and demographics. Results Overall, 234 women completed the study. On average, mercury concentrations increased by 0.01 ppm (parts per million) following the intervention, despite declines in fish consumption; however, women in the 90th percentile for mercury at baseline decreased concentrations significantly while maintaining high rates of fish consumption. Mercury concentrations were positively correlated with fish consumption and certain demographic characteristics. Conclusions The intervention reached individuals most at-risk. Healthcare providers should discuss fish consumption habits with women to encourage consumption of low-risk fish, and identify women needing education and counseling.

AIMS: To evaluate whether a public health intervention using focused dietary advice combined with a hair-mercury analysis can lower neurotoxic methylmercury exposure among pregnant women without decreasing their overall intake of seafood.METHODS: A total of 146 pregnant women were consecutively recruited from the antenatal clinic at a Danish university hospital at their initial ultrasound scan. Dietary advice was provided on avoiding methylmercury exposure from large predatory fish and a hair sample from each participant was analysed for mercury, with the results being communicated shortly thereafter to the women. A dietary questionnaire was filled in. Follow-up three months later included a dietary questionnaire and a repeat hair-mercury analysis.RESULTS: In the follow-up group, 22% of the women had hair-mercury concentrations above a safe limit of 0.58 µg/g at enrolment, decreasing to 8% three months later. Average hair-mercury concentrations decreased by 21%. However, the total seafood intake remained at the same level after three months.CONCLUSIONS: Increased exposure to methylmercury among pregnant women is an important public health concern in Denmark. The observed lowering of hair-mercury concentrations associated with dietary advice corresponds to a substantial public health benefit that probably makes such an intervention highly profitable.

Exposure to mercury is one of the major global health concerns due to its stability, bioaccumulation and high toxicity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the mean mercury level in hair and breast milk (BM) of Iranian lactating mothers (ILMs) through meta-analysis technique. We conducted a systematic literature search in online electronic databases included main domestic databases (SID, Magiran, Iran medex, Medlib and ISC) and international databases (Embase, Scopus and PubMed) for studies published between 2000 up 2018. Each process of research and evaluation of articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria is done by two researchers, individually. From10 studies entered to meta-analysis process including 556 ILM, the mean hair mercury level (HML) and mean milk mercury level (MML) was estimated to be 0.15 μg/g (95 CI: 0.11–0.19, I2: 47.6%, P: 0.028) and 0.51 μg/l (95 CI: 0.28–0.74, I2: 1.9%, P: 0.421), respectively. In this meta-analysis, the mean HML and mean MML were estimated to be lower than the standard of World Health Organization (WHO). Although the mean mercury level in hair and BM of ILMs was lower than the WHO standard, but due to toxicity and serious concern of health, management and Periodic monitor are recommended in different cities of the country for evaluate the mercury levels in hair and BM of ILMs and to estimate the infant’s exposure.

Small-scale or artisanal mining, using gold-mercury amalgamation to extract gold from ore, is a significant source of exposure for the workers and nearby populations. Few studies on hair mercury (Hg) have been conducted in Africa despite the fact that Africa has several gold deposits. No studies have been conducted in Eritrea that is one of the emerging gold producing countries in Africa. The aim of the study was to assess the Hg concentration in hair samples (n = 120) of a population living in Asmara, capital of Eritrea, and to evaluate the influence of some factors on the Hg levels in hair. Information on age, height, weight, occupation, smoking and fish consumption of participants were collected via questionnaire. Hair Hg concentration was significantly higher among women compared to men (p &lt, 0.001) and among women preparing spicy products in Medeber market compared to those who did other jobs (p = 0.010). These results highlight the need for routine biomonitoring surveys and for health promotion campaigns devoted to local decision makers and workers.

The present study investigated the visual perimetry and color vision of two Amazonian populations differently exposed to mercury. Ten riverines environmentally exposed to mercury by fish eating and 34 gold-miners occupationally exposed to mercury vapor. The visual perimetry was estimated using the Förster perimeter and the color vision was evaluated using a computerized version of Farnsworth-Munsell test. Riverine and gold-miners' hair mercury concentrations were quantified. Mercury hair concentration of the riverines was significantly higher than that from gold-miners. Riverines had lower perimetric area than the gold-miners. The errors in the hue ordering test of both Amazonian populations were larger than the controls (non-exposed subjects), but there was no difference between themselves. Riverines had significant multiple association between the visual function and hair mercury concentration, while the gold-miners has no significant association with the exposure. We concluded that the different ways of mercury exposure led to similar visual outcomes, with greater impairment in riverines (organic mercury exposed subjects).

Young children are particularly vulnerable to the chronic sequelae of anemia, including poor nutritional status. The aim of this study was to assess intestinal parasitic-infections and nutritional status (anemia and linear growth) in preschool children living in contemporary Amazonian communities. A cross-sectional study measured children&rsquo, s intestinal parasites and hair-Hg (HHg)&mdash, biomarkers of fish consumption, hemoglobin levels, and growth (anthropometric Z-scores). Children came from traditional-living families (Itapu&atilde, ), and tin-mining settlements (Bom Futuro) representing current transitioning populations. It covered 937 pre-school children (from 1 to 59 months of age) from traditional (247) and immigrant tin-mining families (688). There was a high prevalence of intestinal polyparasitic-infection in children from both communities, but mild anemia (hemoglobin concentrations) and moderate (chronic) malnutrition were more frequent in children from traditional families than in children from tin-mining settlers. Children from traditional families ate significantly more fish (HHg mean of 4.3 &micro, g/g) than children from tin-mining families (HHg mean of 2.3 &micro, g/g). Among traditional villagers, children showed a significant correlation (r = 0.2318, p = 0.0005) between hemoglobin concentrations and HHg concentrations. High rates of parasitic infection underlie the poverty and attendant health issues of young children in the Brazilian Amazon. The intestinal parasite burden affecting poor Amazonian children resulting from unsafe water, lack of sanitation and poor hygiene is the most urgent environmental health issue.

Acute or chronic mercury exposure may cause adverse effects to health and development. Total mercury concentration in hair of a general population (n = 90) between 18 and 45 years of age was studied in the city of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Subjects provided data on age, sex, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and seafood consumption frequency. Mean mercury concentration ranged from 0.136 to 4.383 μg/g, with a mean of 1.119 ± 0.854 μg/g. Forty-two percent of the sampled individuals had total mercury hair concentration over 1 μg/g which corresponds to the U.S. EPA reference dose. No statistically significant differences were found regarding age, weight, body fat percentage, and BMI. Women had lower total mercury than men, although the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between height and hair mercury concentration (p < 0.05). A multiple linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation of total mercury content in hair with respect to the frequency of seafood consumption per month (p < 0.001). Mercury exposure can be dangerous; there is a critical need to understand mercury distribution in the environment and its human health impacts under prevailing cultural and social conditions, to mitigate the potential effect of pollutants on health of all living beings. Seafood consumption advisory should be developed for the region, especially for women in childbearing age.

A cohort of 100 exclusively breastfed children was formed to study association between neurodevelopment and Hg exposure [1]. Detailed questionnaires were administered by trained interviewers to the mothers, and measurements of early child development were collected at 6, 36 and 60 months by trained nurses and psychologists using the Gesell Developmental Schedules. The association between prenatal and postnatal organic Hg (methyl-Hg from fish consumption and ethyl-Hg from Thimerosal-containing vaccine) exposures with Gesell scores of the four domains [Adaptive ability, Language development, Motor abilities (gross motor), and Personal-social ability] were studied in preschool children. Keywords: Child development, Fish, Mercury exposure, Hair mercury

Methylmercury is one of the more toxic forms of mercury (Hg), the biomagnification of which is prevalent in the Arctic where apex predators such as polar bears (Ursus maritimus) can carry high loads. The maternal transfer of contaminants to offspring is a concern, as offspring may be particularly sensitive to the effects of environmental pollutants during early development. However, few studies of polar bears report on Hg in dependent young. We examined hair total Hg (THg) concentrations in 24 polar bear family groups in western Hudson Bay: mother, cub-of-the-year (COY), yearling, and 2 year old. THg concentrations increased with bear age, with COYs having lower concentrations than other offspring groups (p ≤ 0.008). Using AICc-based regression models, we found maternal THg to be positively related to body condition and litter size, while overall offspring THg was positively related to maternal body condition in addition to being dependent on the sex and age of the offspring. COY THg concentrations were positively related to maternal THg while also depending on the sex of the offspring. Considering our results, future studies in polar bear ecotoxicology are encouraged to include offspring of different ages and sexes.

A human biomonitoring project investigating environmental exposures to metals from hair, blood and urine samples was implemented in the Northwest Territories, Canada, between January 2016 and March 2018. This study reports the metal biomarker levels from nine Dene communities located in the Dehcho and Sahtu regions to identify contaminants of interest. Levels of metals in the urine (n = 198), blood (n = 276) and hair (n = 443) samples were generally similar to those seen in other biomonitoring studies in Canada, but lead levels in blood (GM = 16 μg/L; 95th percentile = 71 μg/L) and urine (GM = 0.59 μg/L, 0.69 μg/g of creatinine; 95th percentile = 4.2 μg/L, 4.0 μg/g of creatinine) were higher than those observed in the Canadian Health Measure Survey (CHMS, cycles 2 and 5). Hair mercury (but not blood mercury) appeared higher than observed in participants from the CHMS cycle 5. The vast majority of participants had biomarker levels below the biomonitoring guidance values established for mercury and lead. Based on a comparative analysis of biomarker statistics relative to a nationally-representative survey, metals and essential trace elements of particular interest for follow-up research include: lead, manganese, mercury, and selenium. This project provided baseline biomarker levels in participating regions, which is essential to track changes in the future, and identify the contaminants to prioritize for further investigation of exposure determinants.

Increasing artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in developing countries has raised health concerns in mining communities. A preliminary health survey was conducted in Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region, Myanmar, in February 2020 to assess the health conditions of an ASGM community. Respiratory function and other clinical assessments were evaluated in miners and non-miners, and participants&rsquo, hair was analyzed for heavy metals. Respiratory function of miners was similar to that of non-miners. However, miners&rsquo, respiratory function declined with longer mining activity duration. In total, 3 out of 18 miners showed neurological signs and symptoms of chronic mercury intoxication. The median concentration of the hair mercury was significantly higher in miners than non-miners (P = 0.01), and 9 out of 18 miners and 2 out of 11 non-miners showed the warning level of mercury. We found that, despite an association between declining respiratory function and length of time mining, only a minority of miners showed clinical features of chronic mercury intoxication. Further clinical surveys with a larger sample size are necessary to determine the broader health status of this community. In addition, clinical indicators such as pulmonary function tests are recommended as additional criteria for the diagnosis of mercury intoxication.

Women of childbearing age who are susceptible to mercury exposure were studied to understand the relation between mercury intake through fish and shellfish consumption and mercury exposure indices from blood, hair, and urine samples. A total of 711 women of childbearing age from coastal areas with a high concentration of mercury exposure in Korea were studied. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, dietary intake of fish and shellfish using the simple Food Frequency Questionnaire. Mercury concentration was estimated from the collected samples of blood, hair, and urine. The geometric mean of blood methyl mercury concentration of mercury exposure through seafood was 3.06 &mu, g/L for the low tertile, 3.12 &mu, g/L for the middle tertile, and 3.60 &mu, g/L for the high tertile, indicating a clear tendency of blood methyl mercury to increase as the mercury exposure by fish and shellfish intake ascended. For total blood mercury and hair mercury, the middle and high tertiles had higher values than the low. Mercury exposure through fish and shellfish intake is a main factor for an increase of blood methyl mercury concentration in women of childbearing age. More attention needs to be paid to mercury exposure through seafood intake, considering the serious effect mercury concentration has on women of childbearing age.

This data paper includes information of a cohort organized to study the health, nutrition, and development of Amazonian children [1]. Child development were evaluated by trained nurses and psychologists with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (at 24 months), the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (at 60 months) and also with questionnaires administered by trained interviewers to the mothers. Maternal food questionnaires were used to estimate fish consumption and the associations between levels of prenatal and postnatal hair mercury (from mothers and children) and scores of neurodevelopment. Keywords: Child development, Fish, Methylmercury, Prenatal exposure, Hair mercury

We examined the relationships among tuna consumption, hair mercury levels, and knowledge of mercury exposure risk from tuna consumption in university students that were offered tuna daily at university-run dining halls. Hair total mercury levels in tuna consumers were higher than those in non-tuna consumers (average = 0.466 µg/g ± 0.328 standard deviation [SD], n = 20 vs 0.110 µg/g ± 0.105 SD, n = 33, respectively; p 20 tuna meals/wk, which was related to hair mercury levels >1 µg/g, a level of concern. Study participants had an overall lack of knowledge and confidence in their knowledge about mercury exposure risk from tuna consumption, with >99% of participants reporting low knowledge and low confidence in survey answers. Our study highlights the importance of education about the risks of tuna consumption, particularly in institutional settings where individuals have unlimited access to tuna products. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1988-1994. © 2019 SETAC.

The objective of the present study was to assess the level of minerals and trace elements in 40 children with Down's syndrome and 40 controls aged 1-2 years old. Hair mineral and trace element analysis was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The obtained data demonstrate that hair levels of Mg, P, I, Cr, Si, Zn, and Pb in Down's syndrome patients exceeded the respective control values by 36, 36, 93, 57, 45, 28, and 54%, whereas hair mercury was more than twofold lower in children with Down's syndrome. The observed difference in the levels of trace elements was age-dependent. In particular, in 1-year-olds, major differences were observed for essential elements (Cr, Si, Zn), whereas in 2-year-olds-for toxic elements (Hg, Pb). At the same time, hair P levels in Down's syndrome patients were 14 and 35% higher at the age of 1 and 2 years in comparison to the respective controls. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that a model incorporating all elements, being characterized by a significant group difference, accounted for 42.5% of status variability. At the same time, only hair phosphorus was significantly interrelated with Down's syndrome status (β = 0.478; p