Cohort studies of Faroese children concerning potential adverse health effects after the mothers’ exposure to marine contaminants during pregnancy

Pál Weihe,Philippe Grandjean

doi:10.1186/1751-0147-54-s1-s7

Abstract

Background Toxicological evidence suggests that humans are much more vulnerable to adverse effects from exposures to pollutants that occur during development, i.e., prenatally or in early childhood. However, the adverse effects may not be immediately apparent and often are expressed fully only when physiological functions have matured. Accordingly, research in environmental epidemiology now emphasizes prospective research, in this case based on birth cohorts. Given the advantages of conducting such research in the Faroe Islands, we have therefore generated five birth cohorts. In addition, we have used available records on whaling during the past century to clarify prenatal methylmercury exposure of elderly people on the basis of availability.

Highlights

Toxicological evidence suggests that humans are much more vulnerable to adverse effects from exposures to pollutants that occur during development, i.e., prenatally or in early childhood
Cohort 4 Subsequent to the decision, in August 1998, by Faroese health authorities to recommend that women should reduce their intake of pilot whale meat and blubber – in order to protect the foetus against adverse effects from food contaminants – we carried out a study to determine the effects of this recommendation
The results of the above mentioned studies together with studies on the adult populations have revealed adverse health effects that are caused by contaminants in pilot whale meat and blubber: Mercury from pilot whale meat adversely affects the foetal development of the nervous system Decrements in attention, language, verbal memory, and, to a lesser extent, in motor speed and visuospatial function, were associated with the mercury exposure

Summary

Introduction

Toxicological evidence suggests that humans are much more vulnerable to adverse effects from exposures to pollutants that occur during development, i.e., prenatally or in early childhood. Frequent whale meat dinners during pregnancy and, to a much lesser degree, frequent consumption of fish, and increased parity or age were associated with high mercury concentrations in cord blood and maternal hair. The first comprehensive medical examination was carried out just before the booster vaccination at age 5 years, with a follow-up blood sample one month after vaccination.

Results

Conclusion