Cheng Nan, Xie Qing, Fan Yu-Fei, Wang Yong-Min, Zhang Cheng, Wang Ding-Yong
College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Agricultural Non-point Source Pollution Control in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing 400716, China.
Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2018 Jul 8;39(7):3426-3433. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.201709044.
To evaluate the mercury (Hg) exposure risk for residents of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (TGRR), hair samples were collected from 238 local residents within the central regions of the TGRR (Fuling District and Zhongxian County) in this study. Subsequently, total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations were determined. The results obtained showed that the average THg and MeHg concentrations in hair samples of the residents within these two areas were (0.50±0.54) μg·g and(0.35±0.25) μg·g, respectively. Specifically, the average THg and MeHg concentrations in hair samples of Fuling residents were(0.71±0.87) μg·g and(0.53±0.46) μg·g, respectively. Both these values were higher than those in hair samples of Zhongxian County residents [THg(0.41±0.36) μg·g and MeHg (0.28±0.26) μg·g]. It is noteworthy that the hair Hg levels in residents of these two areas are both well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's reference dose (1 μg·g). Hair Hg levels varied slightly among different age groups; higher Hg levels were detected in residents in the age group of 40-50 years(<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the hair Hg levels among genders(>0.05). Hair Hg levels in females were slightly above those in males. Hair Hg levels were significantly correlated with the frequency of fish consumption. Furthermore, hair Hg levels in non-fishermen were significantly lower than those in fishermen. An elevated mean value of (1.44±0.79) μg·g(<0.01), which exceeds the RfD of 1 μg·g, was detected in fishermen. Moreover, hair Hg levels in smokers of Fuling and Zhongxian County[(0.55±0.24) μg·g and (0.58±0.54) μg·g, respectively] were both markedly higher than those in non-smokers[(0.51±0.30) μg·g and (0.36±0.26) μg·grespectively]. In conclusion, the risk of Hg exposure to residents of the TGRR was lower. However, in this study, it was determined that fishermen are at significant risk of Hg exposure.
为评估三峡库区（TGRR）居民的汞（Hg）暴露风险，本研究从三峡库区中部地区（涪陵区和忠县）的238名当地居民中采集了头发样本。随后，测定了总汞（THg）和甲基汞（MeHg）的浓度。所得结果表明，这两个地区居民头发样本中的平均THg和MeHg浓度分别为（0.50±0.54）μg·g和（0.35±0.25）μg·g。具体而言，涪陵居民头发样本中的平均THg和MeHg浓度分别为（0.71±0.87）μg·g和（0.53±0.46）μg·g。这两个值均高于忠县居民头发样本中的值[THg（0.41±0.36）μg·g和MeHg（0.28±0.26）μg·g]。值得注意的是，这两个地区居民的头发汞含量均远低于美国环境保护局的参考剂量（1μg·g）。头发汞含量在不同年龄组之间略有差异；在40 - 50岁年龄组的居民中检测到较高的汞含量（<0.05）。然而，不同性别之间的头发汞含量没有显著差异（>0.05）。女性的头发汞含量略高于男性。头发汞含量与鱼类消费频率显著相关。此外，非渔民的头发汞含量显著低于渔民。在渔民中检测到平均升高值为（1.44±0.79）μg·g（<0.01），超过了1μg·g的参考剂量。此外，涪陵和忠县吸烟者的头发汞含量[分别为（0.55±0.24）μg·g和（0.58±0.54）μg·g]均明显高于非吸烟者[分别为（0.51±0.30）μg·g和（0.36±0.26）μg·g]。总之，三峡库区居民的汞暴露风险较低。然而，在本研究中确定渔民面临显著的汞暴露风险。
