Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal,
Biol Trace Elem Res. 2013 Dec;156(1-3):29-35. doi: 10.1007/s12011-013-9849-7. Epub 2013 Nov 1.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential risk of mercury contamination near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge relating total mercury (THg) concentrations in the human scalp hair (n = 110) and high fish consumption levels. THg was quantified in human scalp hair, and volunteers were questioned about age, gender, and smoking habits being subsequently grouped in categories based on the individual average intake of fish meals per week. THg concentrations ([THg]) in hair samples ranged from 0.05 to 2.24 μg g(-1), and significant differences were found according to age (p < 0.05) and also among volunteers presenting different fish consumption rates (p < 0.001) being the highest [THg] observed on the adult population and also on volunteers that indicated consuming five or more meals of fish per week. Results indicate a pattern of increased mercury accumulation with increasing fish consumption. Despite mercury availability and a potential mercury intake of up to seven times, the WHO provisional tolerable weekly intake of mercury value, in consequence of high fish consumption, mercury concentrations in scalp hair are comparatively low regarding recommended levels by WHO.
本研究旨在评估中大西洋海脊附近汞污染的潜在风险，研究对象为 110 例人类头皮头发中的总汞（THg）浓度与高鱼类消费水平之间的关系。我们对人类头皮头发中的 THg 进行了定量分析，并询问了志愿者的年龄、性别和吸烟习惯，随后根据个人每周平均鱼类摄入量将他们分为不同组别。头发样本中的 THg 浓度范围为 0.05 至 2.24μg/g，结果显示，THg 浓度存在显著差异，与年龄有关（p＜0.05），且在不同鱼类消费率的志愿者之间也存在显著差异（p＜0.001），最高的 THg 浓度出现在成年人群和每周食用五餐或以上鱼类的志愿者中。研究结果表明，随着鱼类消费的增加，汞的积累呈增加趋势。尽管汞的可用性和潜在的汞摄入量高达 7 倍，但由于高鱼类消费，头发中的汞浓度仍低于世界卫生组织建议的水平，符合世界卫生组织暂定每周可耐受汞摄入量值。
