Risk estimates for children and pregnant women exposed to mercury-contaminated Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus in Lake Albert Uganda.

Wilson Rumbeiha,Tamale Andrew,Muyanja Charles,Nakavuma Jesca,Ejobi Francis,Kato Drago,Fatih Yildiz,Sente Celsus,Amulen Deborah,Naigaga Irene,Micheal Ocaido

doi:10.1080/23311932.2016.1228732

Abstract

Exposure to mercury contaminated fish predisposes populations particularly children and pregnant women to various health hazards including neurotoxicity, reproductive abnormalities and cognitive disorders. Earlier studies in the Lake Albert community have demonstrated the presence of mercury in Nile tilapia and Nile perch. However, the risk estimates for vulnerable groups such as Children and pregnant women is not well documented. Secondary data-set from previous studies were employed comprising family household size and fish consumption history, fish consumption quantity and frequency and mercury levels in fish species in comparison with FAO/WHO guidelines. Data collected was used to establish the hazard quotients (HQs) for the vulnerable group and the general population. A risk model was developed using iRISK to demonstrate the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for eating different parts of the fish (muscle and bellyfat). HQ values (HQ = 2.05) above one for the vulnerable group were realized especially with Nile perch muscle. The highest DALYs (0.111) was obtained with tilapia muscle consumption. The study outcome reveals that vulnerable populations are at risk of non-carcinogenic complications. Therefore, there is a need for sensitization of the community especially the vulnerable groups about risks associated with consuming mercury-contaminated fish.

Highlights

Mercury consumption through fish uptake is considered one of most common routes of exposure for humans (Teisl, Fromberg, Smith, Boyle, & Engelberth, 2011)
This paper argues that without knowledge of the risk posed by mercury levels in fish and fish parts consumed by the vulnerable populations, there is a possibility of hazard quotients (HQs) greater than one non-carcinogenic health complications and/or DALYS. 2
What is interesting about the analyses is that the HQs for the vulnerable populations i.e. children less than 17 years and women of childbearing age based on fish part eaten are above one indicative of non-cancer health risks while those of the general population do not show any health risk

Summary

Introduction

Mercury consumption through fish uptake is considered one of most common routes of exposure for humans (Teisl, Fromberg, Smith, Boyle, & Engelberth, 2011). Several studies have documented the human health risk attributed to mercury exposure in the fish parts of the predominant fish species consumed (Sidhu, 2003; Zeilmaker et al, 2013). This mercury exposure is based on the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) amounts in fish as per the WHO/FAO guideline of 1.6 μg/kg body weight (Carvalho, Matos, Mateus, Santos, & Batoréu, 2008). Consumption of fish with mercury levels beyond the FAO/WHO guideline shall result into health complications especially in the vulnerable groups of children under 17 years, expectant mothers, and communities who depend on fish for subsistence i.e. fishing communities (Carvalho et al, 2008; Dewailly et al, 2012)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion