Mercury and methylmercury in population risk groups on the Atlantic coast of Southern Spain

Abstract

The presence of methylmercury and total mercury in the hair of high risk groups residing in the highly industralized South Atlantic coastal area of Spain were studied. In fishermen, total mercury and methylmercury content showed slight non-statistically significant differences among groups from two different coastal areas (geometric means: 10.41 and 8.36 μg/g for total mercury; 8.28 and 6.72 μg/g methylmercury). Mercury content in both groups differed significantly from controls (geometric mean 2.5 μg/g total mercury, 4.50 μg/g for methylmercury; p<0.05). In pregnant women, statistically significant differences were found in the three groups (two coastal areas and controls). Geometric means were 2.40, 5.94, and 0.94 μg/g for total mercury and 1.93, 4.78, and 0.82 μg/g for methylmercury. Results were compared with those obtained in other European countries in the Mediterranean area. Simultaneously, the same compounds were analyzed in fish and molluscs from those most consumed by people in the above-mentioned groups. The following results were obtained: sword fish, 1.57±1.27 μg/g and 1.20±0.94 μg/g for total mercury and methylmercury respectively; Scrobicularia plana, 0.07±0.052 and 0.053±0.039 μg/g; Tapes decussatus, 0.046±0.20 and 0.039±0.018 μg/g.