Comparative observations on levels of mercury in scalp hair of humans from different Islands |
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Authors: | Aristeo Renzoni |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Environmental Biology, University of Siena, Via delle Cerchia, 53100 Siena, Italy |
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Abstract: | Following the Minamata events, an extraordinary number of studies concerning mercury toxicity and human health have been undertaken.
Particular attention has been given to the evaluation of the dose-response relationship, i.e., the body burden at which (evaluated
through the mercury analyses in blood or hair) the risk of poisoning begins. The results of a comparative study concerning
levels of mercury in the hair of fishermen living in small islands who eat seafood more than four times per week show that
in two areas only, and only in a few cases in these areas, the mercury in the hair exceeds the limit at which a possible risk
could exist. In fact, the limit of 50 mg/g of total mercury in the hair (indicated as the lower limit above which a possible
risk could occur) is surpassed by nine fishermen out of a total of 39 at station 1 and by four fishermen out of a total of
26 at station 3. The average value at station 1 is 36.38 mg/g and that at station 3 is 30.31 mg. Many countries have set legal
limits of mercury for seafood, but evidently the system does not offer a true protection for man. Only the provisional tolerable
weekly intake (PTWI), as repeatedly suggested by WHO, should be considered the best guideline to prevent possibly harmful
consequences. |
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Keywords: | Methyl mercury Small islands Seafood Health risks Fishermen |
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