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Exposure analysis of five fish-consuming populations for overexposure to methylmercury

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 11, pages 193–206 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Mercury, in the form of methylmercury, is found in a myriad of fish species consumed by recreational and subsistence fishers around the world. Many agencies have attempted to address the issue of mercury consumption, resulting at times in the placement of advisories on waterways used for fishing. In this study, consumption rates of three Native American populations and two recreational fishing populations consuming freshwater or saltwater fish species were examined. These consumption rates were combined with fish contamination data to assess the level of exposure to methylmercury and to determine if any of these populations exceed a derived tolerable daily intake (TDI) for methylmercury (0.035 to 0.08 μg/kg/day). The TDI is unlikely to result in adverse health effects and is based on scientific studies investigating sensitive endpoints in children of mothers who consume fish over prolonged periods of time. Results from the exposure analysis indicate that many within the Native American populations exceed the TDI. This occurs even though the mercury concentrations in certain fish species are comparable to concentrations found in fish from open waters where “background” levels are assumed. Recreational anglers consuming freshwater species have exposure levels below the TDI as do nearly all anglers consuming saltwater species. Similar populations or populations having comparable consumption patterns of fish with equal or higher mercury levels in other areas will also exceed the TDI level for mercury. The public health implications of this exposure analysis are discussed.

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Notes

  1. Personal communications; K. Underwood, Spokane Tribe, P.O. Box 100, Wellpinit, WA, 1996 and B. Aripa, Confederated Tribes of Colville, P.O. Box 150, Nespelem, WA, 1996.

  2. Personal communication, M. Munn, United States Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Tacoma, WA, 1999.

  3. Personal communication, J. Zischke, Suquamish Tribe, P.O. Box 498, Suquamish, WA, 2000.

Abbreviations

ATSDR:

Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry

BMD:

bench mark dose

Hg:

mercury

RfD:

reference dose

TDI:

tolerable daily intake

USEPA:

United States Environmental Protection Agency

WA:

Washington state

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to all those who participated in the review of this document. Also, for their insight, comments and help, a special thanks to Tom Burbacher and Alan Stern.

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  1. Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, 98504-7846, Washington, USA

    KOENRAAD MARIËN & GLEN M PATRICK

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  1. KOENRAAD MARIËN
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The views presented in this paper represent those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Washington State Department of Health.

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MARIËN, K., PATRICK, G. Exposure analysis of five fish-consuming populations for overexposure to methylmercury. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 11, 193–206 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500160

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