Mercury exposure in two coastal communities of the Bay of Fundy, Canada

Abstract

There is a rising global concern with regard to mercury (Hg) exposure among coastal populations. Two communities on the Bay of Fundy (New Brunswick, Canada) were assessed by hair monitoring and dietary methods. Average concentration of total Hg in hair was 0.70±0.55mg/kg (N=91) at Grand Manan and 0.42±0.15mg/kg (N=52) at St. Andrews/St. Stephen. Average daily consumption of fresh fish and shellfish was 50±40g/day for Grand Manan and 19±19g/day for St. Andrews/St. Stephen. Average daily total Hg intake estimated from the food frequency and 24-h recall questionnaires was 0.05±0.04μg Hg/kg bw/day at Grand Manan and 0.03±0.04μg Hg/kg bw/day at St. Andrews/St. Stephen. A significant correlation (r=0.47, P=0.002) between Hg intake and hair was observed for Grand Manan. Low Hg intakes and body burden can be attributed to the low Hg levels found in the species commonly consumed: haddock, canned tuna, lobster, and pollock (all below 0.2μg/g wet weight). The results showed that Hg exposure in these Canadian coastal communities is low; fish with higher levels of Hg (shark, tuna, swordfish, pickerel, and bass) are not consumed locally.