Daily Intake Of Mercury Research Articles

Human health risk assessment based on a total diet study of daily mercury intake in Chengdu, China.

To assess the total daily mercury intake and main exposure sources of residents, six food groups, including marine fish, freshwater fish, poultry, livestock, vegetables, and cereals, were collected from five districts of Chengdu, China. The median concentrations of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were 12.8 and 6.94μgkg-1ww, respectively. Cereals (32.2%), vegetables (30.5%), and livestock (16.2%) contributed to a much larger extent to the total consumption for the participants in Chengdu. All food categories that contributed the most of THg (2.16μgday-1) and MeHg 1.44 (μgday-1) to the daily intake in Chengdu were cereals and marine fish, respectively. The total Hazard Ratios values below 1 in this study indicate that there is no health risk associated with Hg ingestion from the consumption of these foods for the residents in Chengdu.

Exposure status, spatial variation, and health risk assessment of selected heavy metal(loid)s in common commercial fish species of the Beibu Gulf

Fishes are considered as biological indicators of heavy metal(loid)s pollution. In this study, contents of seven heavy metal(loid)s, including Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, As, and Hg, in the muscles of ten common fish species in the Beibu Gulf were analyzed to figure out the pollutants status and their health risk. Results showed all species were largely contaminated by arsenic. Under conservative estimation scenario, target hazard quotient and health index revealed no health risk of species except Alepes kleinii. Under pessimistic estimation scenario, target cancer risk and estimated daily intake showed that, except Saurida undosquamis, Saurida tumbil, and Trachinotus ovatus, the remaining species were at risk of causing cancer for their consumers. Daily intake of arsenic and mercury in most species by residents in the Beibu Gulf exceeded provisional maximum tolerable amount recommended by FAO, suggesting the need of moderate consumption of these species.

Risks Assessment of Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg) and Zinc (Zn): A case study of <i>Tilapia guineensis</i> in Lagos Lagoon

This study determined the daily intake of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and mercury (Hg) in order to assess both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks caused by the heavy metals in Tilapia guineensis of Lagos Lagoon. The heavy metals were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The metal distribution was Zn > Cu > Pb > Hg with values of 0.0248±0.04, 0.0093±0.01, 0.0005±0.00 and 0.000±0.00 mg/kg respectively. Daily Intake of Metal was in the order of Zn (0.02) > Cu (0.01) > Pb (0.00) ≥ Hg (0.00), while Target Hazard Quotient decreased in the order of Pb (3.82×10-4) > Cu (9.54×10-5) > Zn (2.49×10-6) > Hg (0.00). The values for Health Risk Index were 0.016 (Cu), 0.00 (Hg), 0.006 (Zn) and 0.034 (Pb), while that for the Health Quotients were 0.400 (Pb), 0.187 (Cu), 0.066 (Zn) and 0.00 (Hg). Similarly, all Hazard Index were less than one. This showed that the consumption of the fish from the study area had no non-carcinogenic health implication of Hg, Zn, Cu and Pb. However, the Target Cancer Risk for Pb (1.38×10-8) indicated minimum cancer risks for the consumers. The ecological risks quotients also revealed that T. guineensis of Lagos Lagoon constituted no ecological risk to the environment since the ERQs were less than one (i.e. ERQ < 1).

Associations of maternal food safety-related risk perceptions and protective behaviors with daily mercury intake and internal doses of Taiwanese women and their preschool children

Mercury (Hg) is a well-known toxicant that can affect children's neurodevelopment. This study attempted to evaluate the internal dose of Hg in hair and fingernails and external Hg exposure from dietary consumption in 283 pairs of mothers and their children aged under 6 years in Taiwan. Mean Hg levels in hair and fingernail samples were 1.07 ± 0.67 and 0.42 ± 0.34 μg/g for mothers, and 1.11 ± 1.22 and 0.36 ± 0.26 μg/g for children, respectively. Our results showed that 42% of mothers and 41% of children had hair Hg levels exceeding the US Environmental Protection Agency recommended value of 1 μg/g. Hg exposure in children was greater than that of their mothers. Estimated daily intake (EDI) levels of Hg among preschool children were 3.3-times higher than those of their mothers. A sensitivity analysis indicated that fish consumption was the main potential factor of Hg exposure among both mothers and their children. External Hg exposure using estimated daily dietary ingestion by mothers was a surrogate for internal hair Hg concentrations. However, poor correlations were found between EDI Hg levels and hair Hg levels among children aged 4–6 years. Exposure sources from food and other media, such as soil and dust, need to be considered to arrive at more-valid risk assessments for younger children's exposure to Hg. Children of mothers who did not have food safety-related risk perceptions or protective behaviors had significantly higher hair Hg concentrations compared to children whose mothers had risk perceptions and protective behaviors. Hg exposure of women of childbearing age and preschool children in Taiwan is still an area of great concern. Providing food safety information and risk-benefits of fish consumption for mothers may avoid harm to the developing nervous systems of their children.

Occupational Exposure to Mercury in Dental Professionals Performing Mercury Dental Amalgam Restoration Removal Procedures: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Air Quality Risk Assessment Model Supported by In-Vitro Results

Aim: To quantify risks associated with exposure to dental amalgam mercury resulting from aerosolization during and following dental fillings removal procedures performed by dental professional over a lifetime of professional practice. Methods: A computational fluid dynamics model was generated using particle size, density, and compositional data obtained from in-vitro aerosolization experiments simulating the environment and breathing conditions of a dental professional performing a dental amalgam restoration removal procedure. Analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry. Data was collected in 2018-2019. Results: Experiments reveal that approximately 58% of mercury contained within the amalgam material is vaporized during removal procedures, and that aerosolized particles, ranging in size from 0.85 to 570 microns, may remain in suspension for nearly two minutes in the area surrounding the working surface. For dental professionals performing on average 9 such restorations per week, the estimated chronic daily intake (CDI) of mercury is 49 micrograms/kilogram-day, which exceed – by more than 20 times – the CDI recommended by the World Health Organization. Data analysis was performed in 2019. Conclusion: Because the CDI exceed recommended safe exposure limits, dental professionals should wear respiratory and personal protective equipment to protect them from exposure to both mercury vapour and mercury-containing particulates for at least two minutes following removal procedures.

Hair mercury and risk assessment for consumption of contaminated seafood in residents from the coast of the Persian Gulf, Iran

The health risks of mercury exposure due to the high consumption of aquatic were assessed for fishermen and non-fishermen families living on the Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Mahshahr cities located in the coast of Persian Gulf (Iran). The mean hair mercury concentration of people in Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Mahshahr cities was obtained 1.56±0.17, 1.97±0.22, and 5.12±0.3μgg-1, respectively. Hair mercury concentration in 8.8% of people exceeded the no observed adverse effects level (NOAEL) of 10μgg-1 declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). The fish and shrimps consumption, place of living, and fisher and non-fisherman family were variables that significantly effected on mercury levels in the hair. The effect of other factors (age, sex, and number of dental amalgam fillings) on hair mercury was not significant. The mean concentrations of mercury in three fish species in Mahshahr exceeded the recommended maximum standard level (0.5μgg-1) set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The estimated weekly intake (EWI) for mercury in some fish species in Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Mahshahr was higher than the provisional tolerable weekly intake (1.6μgkg-1 bw) set by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for some groups. The significant positive correlation between daily mercury intake and hair mercury concentration of people (r=0.64, P<0.001) reasserts that the hair mercury concentration could be explained by fish consumption. HQ>1 was obtained for women in child bearing age in fishermen families in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr cities, children in fishermen families in Bushehr, and for all groups of population except adult in non-fishermen families in Mahshahr. So, the limited consumption of some fish species for these groups of people is recommended. The maximum of allowable fish consumption rate was 0.70 meals/month for Pseudorhombus arsius from Mahshahr fish for women of child bearing age. Also, it is necessary to create and monitor and enforce environmental standards, preventing the entry of pollutants released into the marine aquatic environment without proper early treatment.

INTAKE ASSESSMENT OF SMALL DOSES OF MERCURY IN THE HUMAN BODY WITH FOOD

The aim of this work was to assess mercury content in food products and intake in the human body in Russia. Sampling was carried out on the territory of Russia without reference to the manufacturer in accordance with the principle of random sampling. The analysis of mercury concentrations in a wide range of food and agricultural products was carried out by atomic absorption with "cold vapor". On the basis of this analysis we identified foods with the highest and lowest concentrations of mercury. According to the literature data a number of food products consumable by people with different income levels and at an average for the regions of Russia has been estimated. Daily intake of mercury in the human body according to this regiment has been calculated. A comparison of the actual mercury intake in the human body with safety daily dose has been made according to the FAO and WHO. Mercury dose intaking in the human body with fish and fish products has been also calculated. It is shown that the mercury intake in the human body with food products ranges within acceptance limits in Russia. However, there is a low-dose mercury intake typical for the entire population of Russia.

Seasonal variations of mercury levels and human health risk in vegetables from Arid Oasis (Shihezi city), Xinjiang, Northwest China

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal variations of mercury levels and human health risk in vegetables that were collected from farmland, home garden, and plastic greenhouse in summer and winter 2016 in Arid Oasis (Shihezi city), Xinjiang, Northwest China. The results showed that the levels of mercury in fresh vegetables were lower in winter (0.003–0.025 mg·kg−1) than in summer (0.001–0.035 mg·kg−1). Single factor pollution (P) in vegetables indicated that all vegetables were polluted in diverse levels. The exceeding rate in different vegetables was 0.00% to 88.89% in summer and 0.00% to 100% in winter compared with limits of pollutants in vegetables. The value of bio-concentration factor (BCF) revealed that the mercury absorption capacity of 10 species vegetables decreased in the following order: pea seedling > spinage > caraway > lettuces > pakchoi > celery > crowndaisy chrysanthemum > chives > spinach > shallot. The daily intake (DI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of mercury for children (2–12 years), young adults (18–45 years), and quinquagenarian (>45 years) indicated that non-carcinogenic values were below the threshold values except one sampling sit from farmland around the industrial parks. Furthermore, the THQ of open field in summer was higher than plastic greenhouse in winter. Under the same pollution level, children had more non-carcinogenic risk than young adults and quinquagenarian.

Public health risk of mercury in China through consumption of vegetables, a modelling study

Sample measurement of mercury (Hg) contents is a common method for health risk assessment of Hg through vegetable consumption in China. In the present work, we undertook the first modelling study which produced consistent health-risk maps for the whole eastern China. Regional maps of Probable Daily Intake (PDI) of Total mercury (THg) and Methylmercury (MeHg) over the studied area were produced, which were important for the researchers and policy-makers to evaluate the risk and to propose mitigation measures if necessary. The model predictions of air-borne Hg(0) concentrations agreed well with the observations and simulated Hg distribution over China as reported elsewhere. Our calculated PDIs of THg in vegetables were also comparable to those reported in the literature. There was 19% of the studied area with PDIs > 0.08µgkg−1 bw d−1 [half of the reference dose (RfD)]. The PDI for THg (MeHg) varied from 0.034 (0.007) to 0.162 (0.035)µgkg−1 bw d−1 with an average of 0.058 (0.013)µgkg−1 bw d−1. The highest calculated PDIs of THg over China was equal to the RfD, while the calculated PDIs of MeHg were well below the RfD of 0.1µgkg−1 bw d−1. The health risk was of concern through consumption of THg in leafy vegetables, rice/wheat and fish in Liaoning Provinces, Hunan, Zhejiang and Guizhou Provinces, with the associated PDIs exceeding the RfD. Despite this, the heath risk of MeHg exposure for the general population in southern China from the same foodstuff consumption was not a concern. The contribution of consumption through leafy vegetation should be considered when THg and MeHg exposures to the population are evaluated. The results improve our understanding in managing public health risk in China especially in large cities with high population, and thus have important contribution to enhance sustainable urbanization as one of the principle goals under the framework of the Nature-Based Solution (NBS).

Consumption of rice and fish in an electronic waste recycling area contributes significantly to total daily intake of mercury

Rice consumption is an essential cause of mercury (Hg) exposure for humans in Asia. However, the mechanism of Hg transport and accumulation in rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) remains unclear. Here, rice genotypes with contrasting Hg uptake and translocation abilities, i.e. H655 (high Hg-accumulator) and H767 (low Hg-accumulator), were selected from 261 genotypes. Through comparative physiological and transcriptome analyses, we investigated the processes responsible for the relationship between Hg accumulation, transport and tolerance. The results showed significant stimulation of antioxidative metabolism, particularly glutathione (GSH) accumulation, and up-regulated expression of regulatory genes of glutathione metabolism for H655, but not for H767. In addition, up-regulated expression of GSH S-transferase (GST) and OsPCS1 in H655 that catalyzes the binding of Hg and GSH, enhances the Hg detoxification capacity, while high-level expression of YSL2 in H655 enhances the transport ability for Hg. Conclusively, Hg accumulation in rice is a consequence of enhanced expression of genes related to Hg binding with GSH and Hg transport. With these results, the present study contributes to the selection of rice genotypes with limited Hg accumulation and to the mitigation of Hg migration in food chains thereby enhancing nutritional safety of Hg-polluted rice fields.

국내 3-7세 어린이의 혈중 납, 수은, 카드뮴 농도와 관련요인

Objectives: Children are more susceptible to heavy metal toxicity than adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in the blood of Korean preschoolers and investigate the association between metals in blood and related factors. Methods: A total of 512 subjects from 36 to 83 months of age were sampled. A questionnaire survey was performed and the levels of lead, mercury and cadmium were measured in the blood samples of all subjects. Their parents were interviewed in order to obtain information on basic characteristics, dietary patterns, socio-economic factors, and indoor/outdoor environment of the preschoolers. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between the above factors and lead, mercury or cadmium concentrations. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of lead, mercury and cadmium in the blood were <TEX>$1.45{\pm}1.58{\mu}g/dL$</TEX>, <TEX>$2.14{\pm}1.74{\mu}g/dL$</TEX> and <TEX>$0.23{\pm}1.91{\mu}g/dL$</TEX>, respectively. Results from multiple linear regression analysis showed that blood lead levels were associated with birth weight and paternal smoking status. Daily mercury intake from food and maternal education were also shown to influence mercury concentrations in blood. Also, blood cadmium concentrations were associated with maternal age and having a bus garage near the place of residence. Conclusion: This study suggests that smoking status, dietary patterns and the environmental status near the residence should be considered as important factors for preventable sources of heavy metal exposure in preschoolers.

Daily intake of arsenic and mercury by consumption of Bulgarian Black Sea fishes

The consumption of marine fish as popular seafood has increased steadily over the past decades. Toxic effects evidenced in the environment are most often caused by a mixture of pollutants such as heavy metals. The daily intake of arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) through the consumption of nine edible marine species by the general population of Bulgaria was estimated. Health risks derived from this intake were also assessed. The concentrations of As and Hg in nine edible marine fish species were determined by ETAAS and Milestone Direct Mercury Analyzer. The highest metal intake through fish consumption corresponds to As (7.837 μg/day) for male adults. The daily intake of these elements through fish consumption of these elements was compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWI). The data of this study showed that the metal concentrations in edible tissues of the sampled species were within the permissible safety levels for human consumption set by various health organizations.

Seasonal variability of mercury contents in street dust in Brno, Czech Republic.

Environmental contamination by mercury carries serious risks to the biosphere. Urban agglomerations burdened with traffic are characterized by substantial dust levels, including high concentrations of pollutants bound to particulate matter. In this research, the content of particulate mercury in street dust was investigated in relation to the season and traffic intensity. In total, 80 street dust samples were collected in the centre of Brno (Czech Republic) in which total and bioaccessible mercury contents were determined. Total mercury content in the samples ranged from 0.03 to 2.67 mg/kg. The content of bioaccessible mercury was below the limit of quantification in all samples. Thus, street dust did not increase the daily mercury intake by the population in studied area. A clear trend of mercury accumulation in street dust depending on traffic intensity in the investigated streets was not observed over the whole year.

Role of self-caught fish in total fish consumption rates for recreational fishermen: average consumption for some species exceeds allowable intake

Studies of fish consumption focus on recreational or subsistence fishing, on awareness and adherence to advisories, consumption patterns, and contaminants in fish. Yet the general public obtains their fish from commercial sources. In this paper I examine fish consumption patterns of recreational fishermen in New Jersey to determine: (1) consumption rates for self-caught fish and for other fish, (2) meals consumed per year, (3) average meal size, and average daily intake of mercury, and (4) variations in these parameters for commonly-consumed fish, and different methods of computing intake. Over 300 people were interviewed at fishing sites and fishing clubs along the New Jersey shore. Consumption patterns of anglers varied by species of fish. From 2 to 90% of the anglers ate the different fish species, and between 9 and 75% gave fish away to family or friends. Self-caught fish made up 7–92% of fish diets depending upon species. On average, self-caught fish were eaten for only 2–6 months of the year, whereas other fish (commercial or restaurant) were eaten up to 10 months a year. Anglers consumed from 5 to 36 meals of different fish a year, which resulted in intake of mercury ranging from 0.01 to 0.22 μg/kg/day. Average intake of Mako shark, swordfish, and tuna (sushi, canned tuna, self-caught tuna) exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency’s oral, chronic reference dose for mercury of 0.1 μg/kg/day. However, computing intake using consumption for the highest month results in average mercury intake exceeding the reference dose for striped bass and bluefish as well. These data, and the variability in consumption patterns, have implications for risk assessors, risk managers, and health professionals.

Monte-Carlo human health risk assessment of mercury emissions from a MSW gasification plant

The potential impact of the atmospheric emission of mercury from a new waste gasification plant is assessed by means of a probabilistic approach based on probability density functions for the description of the input data (namely, emission rate of mercury gaseous and particulate species) and the model parameters involved in the individual risk exposure assessment through the pathways of inhalation, soil ingestion, dermal contact, and diet. The use of probability functions allowed the uncertainty in the input data and model parameters to be accounted for; the uncertainty was propagated throughout the evaluation by Monte Carlo technique, resulting in the probability distributions for the ambient air and soil concentrations nearby the plant and for the subsequent individual risk, estimated in terms of hazard index for both an adult and a child receptor. The estimated median concentration levels in air and soil are respectively in the 1.6×10−3–2.2×10−2ngm−3 range and in the 3.5×10−4–1.7×10−2mgkg−1 range, that is at least two orders of magnitude lower than the current background concentration in the ambient air and one order of magnitude lower than the concentration locally measured in the soil. The diet pathway is responsible for the most part (>80%) of the daily mercury intake, which, however, is at least four (median estimated values) and three orders (estimates for a reasonable maximum exposure) lower than the reference dose in the most part of the modeling domain. According to the locally measured background mercury levels in air and soil the additional contribution of the plant emissions to the environmental mercury levels appears of small significance, with an almost negligible impact on the hazard index for the population living in the neighborhood of the plant.

HUBUNGAN KONSUMSI MAKANAN DENGAN KUALITAS ASI DI DAERAH PENAMBANGAN EMAS

reast milk is the most perfect food for babies, which provides high-value nutrients that required for growth, development and immunity. Healthy milk contains nutrients and does not contain contaminants (heavy metals), such as mercury. The use of mercury (Hg) in the process of separating gold in traditional gold mining through process of amalgamation in long time will result in mercury wastes that may pollute the river water, groundwater and soil. Mercury that pollutes the land will remain in the ground and then seep into groundwater or flow into streams when it rains. Mercury will be absorbed by plant roots and will mount up in fruits and leaves (vegetables), while the mercury in the river or pond water will accumulate in the body of the fish. People who live in gold mining areas, including nursing mothers who consume such food will indirectly consume mercury and it will accumulates in the body for a long time as well. This condition will cause health problems throuhout their lives. Mercury in body fluids, including in breast milk, will affect the protein content of · breast · milk · and inhibit enzyme activity. The aim of this study is to, identify the relationship between food consumption in the areas of gold mining with the quality (me'rcury and protein content) of breast milk. Subjects were pregnant women who live in gold mining areas in the District of Cineam Tasikmalaya Regency. Data collected include the food consumption of nursing mothers, protein and mercury in breast milk, and mercury in food. Food consumption data is collected by interview, whereas protein and mercury in breast milk and mercury in food obtained by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer method (AAS). Statistical analysis used Spearman correlation between variables. The results showed average mercury content in some foodstuffs ranged from 0.01572 ppm -0.31086 ppm, the average daily intake of mercury is 25.81 µg, the average protein in breast milk is 1. 758 g/100 ml and the average mercury in breast milk is 1.011 ppb. Results of analysis among variables showed a significant correlation between the consumption of food (intake of mercury) a day with the content of mercury in breast milk (p = 0.043, r = 0.365) and mercury content in human milk with protein content in milk (p = 0.001, r =- 0.567).

Expanding perceptions of subsistence fish consumption: Evidence of high commercial fish consumption and dietary mercury exposure in an urban coastal community

Through collaborative partnerships established between current researchers and The Moton Community House (a local community center), African American women (ages 16-49yrs) from the Southeast Community of Newport News, Virginia, USA were surveyed to assess the reproducibility and consistency of fish consumption patterns (ingestion rates, exposure frequencies, weight, and fish consumption rates) derived from a community-specific fish consumption survey. Women were also surveyed to assess the reliability of the survey responses, and to estimate daily mercury intake. Fish consumption patterns were reproducible and the survey responses were reliable. Comparison between years revealed that fish consumption patterns remained consistent over time. In addition, the high fish consumption rate estimated in 2008 (147.8g/day; 95% CI: 117.6-185.8g/day) was confirmed with a rate (134.9g/day; 95% CI: 88-207g/day) not materially different and still considerably higher than mean fish consumption rates reported for U.S. women. Daily mercury intake rates were estimated using consumption data from 2008 and three consumption scenarios (canned white, canned light, and no tuna) due to confirmed differences in mercury concentration between canned white and light tuna. Arithmetic mean daily mercury intake rates were 0.284μg/kg bw/day (95% CI: 0.229-0.340μg/kg bw/day) using canned white tuna, 0.212μg/kg bw/day (95% CI: 0.165-0.259μg/kg bw/day) using light tuna, and 0.197μg/kg bw/day (95% CI: 0.151-0.243μg/kg bw/day) using no tuna. Approximately 58%-73% of the daily mercury intake rates for African American women in the Southeast Community exceeded US EPA's oral reference dose (RfD) of 0.10μg/kg bw/day for mercury. In addition, 2% of the rates exceeded a level (1.00μg/kg bw/day) documented to produce adverse health effects. Past and current investigations confirmed that even though women in this community were not subsistence fishers, they are subsistence fish consumers.

Dietary intake of mercury by children and adults in Jinhu area of China

Dietary intakes of mercury by children and adults in Jinhu area of China were determined using a duplicate diet approach. A total of 176 duplicate diet portions were collected from 60 individuals in November and December of 2007. Mercury levels in duplicate samples were measured by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The daily mercury intakes (median and range) from consumption days without fish or shellfish for children and adults were 0.13 (0.05-0.78) μg(kg(bw))(-1) day(-1) and 0.07 (0.04-0.18) μg(kg(bw))(-1) day(-1), respectively, which were significantly lower than those from consumption days with fish or shellfish for both children and adults whose daily intakes (median and range) were 0.16 (0.11-0.84) μg(kg(bw))(-1) day(-1) and 0.09 (0.05-0.46) μg(kg(bw))(-1) day(-1), respectively. The exposure level of children was significantly higher than that of adults. The 50th and 99th percentile of the usual mercury intake from all consumption days for children were 0.14 and 0.22 μg(kg(bw))(-1) day(-1) and for adults were 0.09 and 0.14 μg(kg(bw))(-1) day(-1), where the between-person variance in dietary mercury intake for children and adults were 0.038 and 0.036, respectively. Comparing with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) divided into daily intake (PTDI) of 0.57 μg(kg(bw))(-1) day(-1), it is concluded that the average daily intakes and the usual intakes to mercury can be considered safe for both children and adults in Jinhu area by the duplicate diet study. But the maximum daily intakes for children exceeding the PTDI deserve a close attention.

Determination and assessment of the contents of essential and potentially toxic elements in Ayurvedic medicine formulations by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

Traditional Ayurvedic remedies are easily available nowadays not only in India, their country of origin, but also in Western countries. Some of these products contain high concentrations of potentially toxic elements as main or secondary ingredients, in addition to elements essential for human health; for these reasons, it is interesting to determine their elemental composition. In this study we assessed the concentrations of fifteen elements (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Si and Zn) in five products of the Parpati family, a group of Ayurvedic medicines containing high concentrations of mercury, manufactured in various places in India. Concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or (for Pb and Cd) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) after sample mineralization. We compared the calculated daily intake of each element with reference values, considering maximum tolerable intake levels or recommended nutrient amounts. The experimental results were treated with chemometric pattern recognition techniques. We found differences in the composition of products of the same denomination manufactured by different companies and strong correlations among groups of variables. As expected, the daily intake of mercury upon consumption of Parpati medicines largely exceeded the tolerable intake level of this element.

Mercury contamination in human hair and some marine species from Sfax coasts of Tunisia: levels and risk assessment

The aim of this study was to measure the mercury (Hg) contents of three marine fish and common seafood species (Diplodus annularis, Sarpa salpa and Sepia officinalis) at two sampling sites in the gulf of Gabes, i.e. Sidi Mansour (polluted site) and Kerkennah (control site). These species are frequently consumed by the population living at the Sfax coasts of Tunisia, particularly by the families of fisherman. Additionally, the hair mercury levels of 55 volunteers (28 women, 27 men) were analysed and the daily total mercury intake through the fish and seafood diet was estimated. The key findings were: (1) the mercury contents of the examined fish and seafood species frequently exceeded the regulatory guideline value of 0.5 mg/kg, (2) no site-specific differences in hair mercury contents were found, (3) fish and seafood consumption is probably the major contributor of mercury exposure in this population, (4) the daily mercury intake through frequent consumption of D. annularis exceeds the US EPA reference dose. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the health risks associated with such high mercury exposure levels in order to allow optimal counseling and therapy of the concerned population and to avoid future impairment of human health, particularly children's health.