Methylmercury (MeHg) in the most consumed fish in a municipality of La Mojana, Colombia

La Mojana is a biodiverse area of wetlands that offers environmental services to its inhabitants. Despite its ecological relevance and for the food security of its inhabitants, this ecoregion has been strongly impacted by contamination from mining that takes place in the riverbeds that drain into it. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the levels of MeHg in foods of relevance to the population of the area, such as fish. Thus, current research seeks to determine the levels MeHg in the most consumed ichthyofauna in the region and its possible impacts on public health. Therefore, MeHg concentrations were determined in the most consumed fish species in San Marcos, Colombia. Using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry (CVAAS) the concentrations of MeHg in the dorsal muscle of the most consumed species were quantified. Pseudoplatystoma magdaleniatum, Plagioscion surinamensis, and Hoplias malabaricus registered the highest levels of MeHg with concentrations of 0.396 ± 0.025 µg/g; 0.377 ± 0.049 µg/g and 0.355 ± 0.028 µg/g, respectively. No species exceeded the maximum permissible concentration in the muscle of 0.5 µg/g for fresh fish established by the European Union. However, all carnivorous species exceed the threshold for a vulnerable population of 0.2 µg/g. It is concluded that the ichthyofauna of the Mojana is contaminated with MeHg, which constitutes a public health problem and a risk factor for the fauna and the inhabitants of this region, due to the habitual consumption of contaminated fish.

La Mojana es una zona biodiversa de humedales que ofrece servicios ambientales a sus habitantes. A pesar de su relevancia ecológica y para la seguridad alimentaria de sus pobladores, dicha ecorregión ha sido fuertemente impactada por la contaminación, proveniente de la minería que se desarrolla en los cauces de los ríos, que drenan en ella. Por lo anterior, es necesario monitorear los niveles de MeHg, en alimentos de relevancia para la población de la zona, como los peces. Así, la actual investigación busca determinar los niveles de MeHg en la ictiofauna de mayor consumo en la región y sus posibles impactos en la salud pública. Por lo tanto, se determinaron las concentraciones de MeHg en las especies de peces más consumidas en San Marcos, Colombia. Usando espectrofotometría de absorción atómica por vapor frío (CVAAS), se cuantificaron las concentraciones de MeHg, en músculo dorsal de las especies más consumidas. Pseudoplatystoma magdaleniatum, Plagioscion surinamensis y Hoplias malabaricus registraron los niveles más altos de MeHg, con concentraciones de 0,396 ± 0,025 µg/g; 0,377 ± 0,049 µg/g y 0,355 ± 0,028 µg/g, respectivamente. Ninguna especie superó los valores de concentración máxima permisible en músculo de 0,5 µg/g, para peces frescos, que establece la Unión Europea; sin embargo, todas las especies carnívoras superaron el umbral para población vulnerable, de 0,2 µg/g. Se concluye, que la ictiofauna de La Mojana, se encuentra contaminada con MeHg, lo que constituye un problema de salud pública y factor de riesgo para la fauna y los habitantes de esta región, debido al consumo habitual de peces contaminados.

First report of Myxobolus (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) spores in human feces in Brazil / Primeiro relato de esporos de Myxobolus (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) em fezes humanas no Brasil

Most species of Myxobolus (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) infect freshwater and marine fish, and cause sporozoosis. Passage of myxozoan parasites into human feces has been described occasionally. We examined fecal samples from 97 dwellers of a riverine community in Amazonas State (Brazil), which revealed Myxobolus sp. in 13 (13%) samples. The discovery probably does not represent true parasitism as the myxospores - most likely ingested through the consumption of infected fish - were eliminated unchanged after passing through the gastrointestinal tract. This discovery represents the first report of this myxosporean in human fecal samples in Brazil. (AU)

A maioria das espécies de Myxobolus (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) infecta principalmente peixes de água doce e marinhos, nos quais produz esporozoose. A passagem de parasitos mixozoários em fezes humanas tem sido ocasionalmente descrita. Nós examinamos amostras fecais de 97 moradores de uma comunidade ribeirinha no estado do Amazonas e identificamos Myxobolus sp. em 13 (13%) delas. O achado provavelmente não representa um parasitismo verdadeiro, uma vez que os mixosporos − mais provavelmente ingeridos ao consumir peixes infectados − foram eliminados inalterados após a passagem pelo trato gastrointestinal. O achado representa o primeiro relato deste mixosporídeo em amostras fecais humanas no Brasil.(AU)

Availability and consumption of fish as convenience food - correlation between market value and nutritional parameters

Abstract Fish consumption is low in Brazil and several factors justify this fact, among them the lack of practicality in preparation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relation between the price and the nutritional characteristics of the processed fish products. Correlations between price and nutritional value of 18 different processed fish products were established, comparing nutritional parameters between in natura and processed fish. The results showed that protein features moderate positive correlation to price. The processed fish products analyzed showed lower protein content and higher contents of energy, lipids and sodium compared to in natura fish.

Fish consumption, mercury exposure, and the risk of cholesterol profiles: findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011

In this study, the associations between mercury (Hg) exposure and cholesterol profiles were analyzed, and increased Hg levels and cholesterol profiles according to the amount of fish consumption were evaluated. Data on levels of blood Hg, the frequency of fish consumption, total blood cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) in 3951 adults were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011 database. To compare the distribution for each log-transformed indicator, Student's t-test and analysis of variance were carried out, and the groups were classified according to the frequency of fish consumption through linear regression analysis; the association between Hg level and cholesterol profiles in each group was analyzed. The blood Hg levels (arithmetic mean, median, and geometric mean) for all target participants were 4.59, 3.66, and 3.74 µg/L, respectively. The high cholesterol group, low HDL-C group, and high TG group showed a statistically and significantly higher blood Hg level than the low-risk group. In both sexes, as the frequency of fish consumption increased, blood Hg level also increased, but TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and TG did not show a similar trend. Increased blood Hg level showed a significant association with increased TC and LDL-C. This statistical significance was maintained in the group with less frequent fish consumption ( < 4 times per month), but the group with frequent fish consumption (>8 times per month) did not show a similar trend. The results of this study suggest that fish consumption increases the level of Hg exposure, and that as the level of Hg exposure increases, the levels of cholesterol profiles increase. However, this study also suggests that the levels of cholesterol profiles in those with frequent fish consumption can be diminished.

Does Periconceptional Fish Consumption by Parents Affect the Incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intelligence Deficiency? A Case-control Study in Tianjin, China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study aimed to explore the association between periconceptional fish consumption by parents and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intelligence deficiency (ID).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study was conducted through a questionnaire with 108 ASD cases, 79 ID cases, and 108 controls. The ASD and ID cases were students from special educational schools in Tianjin from 2012 to 2014. The age- and sex-matched controls were from a high school, three primary schools, and a kindergarten in Tianjin. Multivariate logistic regression was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Paternal habit of eating hairtail before fertilization, maternal preference for fruits during pregnancy, and maternal habit of eating grass carp during pregnancy were preventive factors for ASD. Paternal habit of drinking alcohol before fertilization was a risk factor for ID, whereas maternal preference for fruits during pregnancy and maternal habit of eating crucian carp during pregnancy were protective factors for ID.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Parental fish consumption is beneficial for the prevention of ASD and ID. Meanwhile, the protective effects of fish consumption on ASD and ID differ. More attention should be paid to the combined effect of other food when eating fish.</p>

Benefit-risk Assessment of Fish and Fish Products in the Norwegian Diet – An Update.

Request from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) In September 2013, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority requested VKM to update relevant parts of the benefit-risk assessment of fish in the Norwegian diet published by VKM in 2006. The background for the request was new knowledge and data on the content of some nutrients and contaminants both for wild and farmed fish since 2006. The proportion of vegetable ingredients used in farmed fish feed has in recent years increased, and new national dietary surveys for adults and children have been conducted. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority referred to VKM’s report from 2006, which pointed out that the positive impact of fish consumption on public health was especially due to the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D in fish. Further, VKM concluded that the contaminants that could pose a potential risk to public health through fish consumption mainly were methylmercury, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs). The request included a reassessment of fish consumption in Norway with focus on specific nutrients; n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin D, and the minerals iodine and selenium, and on specific contaminants; mercury, dioxins and dl-PCBs. VKM was asked to address the main changes in the use of raw materials in farmed fish feed and how these affect the levels of nutrients, mercury, dioxins and dl-PCBs and in fish feed. Further, VKM was asked to address to what extent levels of nutrients and contaminants in fish have changed since 2006, to describe these changes and estimate the human intake of the substances in question on the basis of recent dietary data. VKM was also requested to consider the benefits of eating fish with regard to the intake of nutrients and the risks associated with the intake of mercury, dioxins and dl-PCBs and comment on whether this change the conclusions from the report in 2006. Additionally, on the basis of updated knowledge, VKM was asked to comment whether other substances, like pesticide and residues of veterinary medicinal products, could affect the conclusions with regard to the impact on public health. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Directorate of Health will use the updated assessment as a basis for public recommendations concerning the consumption of fish and fish products. How VKM has Addressed the Request The VKM appointed a working group consisting of VKM members and external experts to answer the request. Several of the scientific panels of VKM reviewed the report during its preparation. The Scientific Steering Committee of VKM has given their final assessment and approval of the current report. In the current report, VKM has mainly used data from national surveillance and monitoring programs for nutrient and contaminant concentrations in fish feed, farmed fish and wild caught fish, but occurrence data have also been derived from peer reviewed articles. VKM has estimated fish consumption in three population groups (2-year-olds, adults and pregnant women). The estimated fish consumption was compared to national dietary guidelines. To assess health effects of fish consumption, the current estimated fish intakes were also compared with assessments done by recognised international bodies and results from epidemiological studies addressing possible associations between fish consumption and specific health outcomes. Literature searches were done to identify relevant epidemiological studies. VKM has not systematically assessed reviews or meta-analyses nor individual studies for weight of evidence, but merely summarised the studies retrieved from the literature search. It was considered being beyond the scope of this assessment to review individual studies included in reviews or meta-analyses. Furthermore, based on current fish consumption in the various population groups, intake of nutrients and exposure to contaminants from fish were estimated. For benefit characterisation of the specific nutrients the estimated nutrient intake was compared with national recommendations of nutrients intake and for EPA and DHA a comparison was also done with European recommendations. For risk characterization of contaminant exposure from fish, VKM used health based guidance values set by international risk assessment bodies (WHO, EFSA). VKM noted that the request from NFSA was restricted to fish, whereas the VKM report in 2006 included both fish and other seafood. VKM focused on specific nutrients and contaminants as requested by the NFSA. In addition, VKM also commented on other substances that could affect the risk assessment, such as residues of veterinary medicinal products including residues of antibiotics, new contaminants from fish feed like the pesticide endosulfan, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mycotoxins, the synthetic antioxidants ethoxyquin, butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), as well as environmental contaminants like brominated flame retardants and perfluorated organic compounds Background In the Norwegian diet fish is important source of well-balanced proteins, and important nutrients such as EPA and DHA, vitamin D, iodine and selenium. On the other hand, fish is also a source of exposure to chemical contaminants like dioxins, PCBs and mercury. Over the last 10 years there has been a great change in raw materials used in fish feeds, and in 2013 terrestrial plant proteins and vegetable oils accounted for 70% of the feed. The changes in concentrations of nutrients and contaminants in fish feed for farmed Atlantic salmon and trout are reflected in changed concentrations and compositions of the same nutrients and contaminants in the farmed fish fillet. The current national dietary guideline is to eat fish as dinner meals 2-3 times per week for all age groups, representing 300-450 g fish per week for adults, including at least 200 g fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, mackerel and herring. Fish is also recommended as bread spread. Further, a daily supplement of vitamin D to infants from 4 weeks of age is recommended, and if this supplement is taken as cod liver oil it will in addition ensure an adequate supply of EPA and DHA. The present benefit-risk assessment is comprised of three elements, i.e. benefit assessment, risk assessment and benefit-risk comparison. This methodology is in accordance with the guidance given by EFSA in 2010. Fish Consumption in Norway and Comparison with National Dietary Guidelines VKM has used information about fish consumption from more recent national dietary surveys among 2-year-olds (Småbarnskost 2007) and adults at 18-70 years of age (Norkost 3, 2010/2011), as well as information for pregnant women who answered the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa2, 2002-2008) food frequency questionnaire. The national food consumption survey Ungkost 2000, which covers the age groups 4-, 9-, and 13-year-old children, was considered too old to be used and it is therefore not known if their fish consumption patterns have changed, neither in amount consumed nor type of fish consumed. Even though there are methodological differences between the dietary surveys used in 2006 and 2014, the amount of fish consumed appears to be unchanged for all population groups. Furthermore, in 2014, lean fish and fatty fish contribute with about 60 and 40 percent, respectively, of the total fish consumption, which is similar to 2006. Given a portion size of 150 g fish, the average adult eats fish equivalent to 2-3 dinner servings per week and the average pregnant woman eats fish equivalent to 1-2 dinner servings per week, while the average two-year-old eats fish equivalent to 1-2 dinner servings per week given a portion size of 75 g. The table below describes fish intake in the selected populations. Fish consumption (expressed as raw fish), mean grams (g) per week in 2-year-olds (Småbarnskost 2007, n=1674), adults (Norkost 3, n=1787) and pregnant women (MoBa, n=86277) Population groups Mean fish consumption g/week Fish roe Fish, total Lean fish (≤ 5% fat) Fatty fish (> 5% fat) and liver 2-year-olds 112 70 35 7 Adults 364 210 147 7 Pregnant women 217 126 77 14 VKM concludes that of the different population groups, only adults (18-70 years of age) with an average or higher fish consumption reach the national food based dietary guidelines for total fish consumption. Mean total fish consumption and fatty fish consumption in children (2-year-olds) and pregnant women, as well as the mean fatty fish consumption in adults are lower than recommended. In pregnant women and 2-year-olds, fish consumption is too low to meet the food based dietary guidelines Health Effects of Fish Consumption VKM is of the opinion that according to epidemiological studies, the net effects of the present average fish consumption in Norway for adults including pregnant women is beneficial for specific cardiovascular diseases (particularly cardiac mortality, but also with regard to ischaemic stroke, non-fatal coronary heart disease events, congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation), as well as for optimal neurodevelopment of foetus and infants. Furthermore, VKM is of the opinion that those with fish consumption less than one dinner serving per week may miss these beneficial effects. The health benefit of fish consumption is reported from 1-2 dinner servings per week and up to 3-4 dinner servings per week. For higher fish intake per week, the limited number of consumers in epidemiological studies does not allow for drawing firm conclusions about the actual balance of risk and benefit. More knowledge is needed to reveal the beneficial mechanisms of fish consumption. Benefit Characterisation of Nutrients in Fish VKM is of the opinion that there has been minor or no changes of the composition and concentrations of nutrients in wild caught fish since 2006. Due to replacement of fish oil and fish protein with plant prote

Efecto de una intervención educativa sobre el consumo de frutas, verduras y pescado en familias de niños preescolares y escolares / Effect of a nutrition education intervention on consumption of fruits, vegetables and fish in families of prescholers and scholers

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de una intervención educativa sobre el consumo de frutas, verduras y pescado en familias de niños preescolares y escolares mediante una intervención de tres meses y una evaluación antes y después, en 27 familias intervenidas y 32 controles, de colegios municipales de una comuna de Santiago, Chile. Al inicio y final de la intervención se aplicó a cada niño y su padre una encuesta de frecuencia de consumo de frutas, verduras y pescado y de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de alimentación familiar. La intervención consistió en seis talleres de cocina de 90 minutos cada uno para los encargados de la preparación de alimentos en el hogar, utilizando además video y fotografía participativa. Los resultados mostraron un mayor consumo de frutas, verduras y pescado en el grupo intervenido (test de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, test de Wilcoxon, p<0,05). Al comparar el consumo pre-post por grupo, las diferencias resultaron significativas para el intervenido en todos los casos (test de Wilcoxon para muestras pareadas, p<0,05). En los padres, el consumo de frutas aumentó en 135,8 g, el de verduras en 19,5 g y el de pescado en 10,2 g diarios. En los niños, las frutas aumentaron 92,1 g, las verduras 65,9 g y el pescado 5,2 g al día. Todas las familias intervenidas (n=22) incorporaron algún cambio significativo en la alimentación saludable de su hogar. Los resultados muestran que es posible realizar cambios en los hábitos alimentarios de las familias, con la implementación de una intervención educativa que incluya talleres de cocina y materiales audiovisuales.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a nutrition education intervention on fruits, vegetables and fish consumption in pre-school and school age children families, through a three months education intervention with a pre-post evaluation in 27 intervened families and 32 controls from public schools in Santiago, Chile. A food-frequency questionnaire on fruits, vegetables and fish, and a survey on food and nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices were applied to children and their parents. The intervention consisted in six 90 minutes cooking workshops, including the utilization of videos and photovoice for those who cooked in the families. Results showed a significant more consumption of fruits, vegetables and fish in the intervened than in the control group (test de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, test de Wilcoxon, p<0,05). Comparing pre-post consumption by group, significance differences were for the intervened group in all cases. (test de Wilcoxon for paired samples, p<0,05). In parents, fruit consumption increased 135.8 g, vegetables 19.5 g, and fish 10,2 g per day. In children, the increase in fruits was 92.1 g, vegetables 65.9, and fish 5.2 g per day. All the intervened families (n=22) introduced a significant healthy food improvement at home. Results showed that it is possible to change food habits in families with the implementation of a nutrition education intervention including cooking workshops, videos and photovoice.

Four Cases of Abnormal Neuropsychological Findings in Children with High Blood Methylmercury Concentrations

BACKGROUND: Methylmercury (MeHg) easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the brain. Accumulated MeHg will cause neurological symptoms. We report four pediatric cases of neuropsychological findings with high blood MeHg concentrations. CASE PRESENTATION: Four children were admitted for follow-up study because their total mercury (THg) concentration in the blood was found to be high during a national survey. Case 1 was a 9-year-old female with a 16.6 microg/l blood THg concentration in the survey. During admission, the blood THg, hair THg, and blood MeHg concentration(mercury indices) were 21.4 microg/l, 7.2 microg/g, and 20.1 microg/l, respectively. In our neuropsychological examination, cognitive impairment and attention deficit were observed. Her diet included fish intake 2-3 times per week, and she had been diagnosed with epilepsy at 3 years of age. Case 2 was a 12-year-old male with blood THg of 15.4 microg/l in the survey and the mercury indices were 12.7 microg/l, 5.7 microg/g, and 11.8 microg/l, respectively, on admission. He was also observed to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Case 3 was a 10-year-old male child with blood THg of 17.4 microg/l in the survey, and the mercury indices on admission were 21.6 microg/l, 7.5 microg/g and 21.5 microg/l, respectively. In his case, mild attention deficit was observed. Case 4 was a 9-year-old male with blood THg of 20.6 microg/l in the survey and the mercury indices were 18.9 microg/l, 8.3 microg/g, and 14.4 microg/l, respectively, on admission. Mild attention difficulty was observed. CONCLUSION: We suggest that fish consumption may be the main source of MeHg exposure, and that MeHg may have been the cause of the neuropsychological deficits in these cases.

The association of heavy metals in blood, fish consumption frequency, and risk of cardiovascular diseases among Korean adults: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2010)

Limited studies are available concerning the effect of heavy metal exposure on cardiovascular diseases. As environmental pollution increases, food contamination, including heavy metal contamination of fish, also increases. However, researches based on the intake of heavy metals, cardiovascular disease, and fish intakes are inconclusive. We assessed an association of heavy metal exposure with cardiovascular disease and fish intake in a nationally representative group of general Korean adults. We used data from the combined 2008-2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), and analyzed the data of 5,139 Koreans who participated in KNHANES. All participants were older than 20 years, and were diagnosed with stroke, ischemic heart disease, or hypertension. The mean blood cadmium, lead concentration, and mercury concentration of subjects were 1.07 +/- 0.01 microg/L, 2.49 +/- 0.02 microg/dL, and 5.19 +/- 0.08 microg/L, respectively. We used the survey logistic regression model to account for the complex sample design of the cardiovascular disease risk in order to estimate the odds ratios (OR). After adjusting for age, education, income, alcohol, smoking, and BMI, the increase of serum cadmium in blood was associated with the increase in the prevalence of hypertension. Further, the increase in blood cadmium concentration was associated with the increase of both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Although higher fish intakes were significantly associated with higher blood mercury concentration (p for trend < 0.0001), fish intakes did not affect either blood cadmium or lead concentration. Comparing the highest fish intake group with the lowest intake group, the OR of hypertension was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.19-0.59) in the crude model for total fish. However, these associations were no longer significant after the adjustment for potential confounding factors. In conclusion, cadmium in blood was associated with an increased risk of hypertension in the general Korean adult population. However, we found no evidence of a clear relationship between cardiovascular disease and frequency of fish consumption.

Fish consumption, contaminants and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: many more benefits than risks / Consumo de peixe, contaminantes e morte súbita em epilepsia: mais benefícios do que riscos

People with epilepsy have an increased risk of dying prematurely and the most common epilepsy-related category of death is sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). SUDEP is mainly a problem for patients with chronic uncontrolled epilepsy. The ultimate goal of research in SUDEP is to develop new methods to prevent it and actions other than medical and surgical therapies that could be very useful. Nutritional aspects, i.e., omega-3 fatty acids deficiency, could have an interesting role in this scenario. Some animal and clinical studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids could be useful in the prevention and treatment of epilepsy and hence SUDEP. It has been ascertained that the only foods that provide large amounts of omega-3 are seafood (fish and shellfish); however, some fish are contaminated with methylmercury, which may counteract the positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Our update review summarises the knowledge of the role of fish consumption on epilepsy research.

Pessoas com epilepsia têm um risco aumentado de morrer de forma prematura e a causa mais comum de morte relacionada à epilepsia encontra-se na categoria de morte súbita inesperada em epilepsia (SUDEP). SUDEP é um problema significativo para pacientes com epilepsia crônica não controlada. O principal objetivo nas pesquisas em SUDEP é o desenvolvimento de métodos capazes de levar à sua prevenção e ações outras que não medicamentosas e cirúrgicas que podem ser úteis. Os aspectos nutricionais, como por exemplo, a deficiência do ácido graxo ômega-3 pode ter um papel interessante neste cenário. Alguns estudos animais e clínicos têm sugerido que os ácidos graxos ômega-3 podem ser úteis na prevenção e no tratamento da epilepsia e, consequentemente, na SUDEP. Os únicos alimentos que contêm grandes proporções de ômega-3 são os frutos do mar (peixes e mariscos). No entanto, alguns peixes podem estar contaminados com metilmercúrio, o que pode levar a um efeito contrário ao benefício trazido pelos ácidos graxos ômega-3. Aqui, resumimos o conhecimento do papel do consumo de peixe nas pesquisas em epilepsia.

Blood Mercury Concentration and Related Factors in an Urban Coastal Area in Korea / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out for the purpose of evaluating the blood mercury concentration of the residents of Busan, Korea, as well as the relationship between the mercury concentration and the pattern of fish consumption along with other epidemiological factors. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-three subjects (147 men and 146 women), who were aged 40 years or more, were recruited into this study between June and October 2009. The mean age of the subjects was 54.3 years (with a range of 40-70 years). Mercury concentrations in blood samples were measured using a gold-amalgam collection method. RESULTS: The geometric mean concentration of mercury in the total subjects was 8.63 microgram/L [range: 1.48~45.71 microgram/L]. The blood mercury concentration of the men (9.55 microgram/L) was significantly higher than that of the women (7.76 microgram/L). The blood mercury concentration of those who eat fish more than 4 times per week was higher than others, and was statistically significant (male p = 0.0019, female p = 0.0002). According to the multiple analysis, the blood mercury concentration was significantly affected by the consumed fish but other epidemiological factors were not related. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the subjects who have consumed a large amount of fish may have high blood mercury concentration. It appears that fish consumption can influence blood mercury concentration. Therefore, guidelines for fish consumption that will decrease blood mercury concentration might be necessary in Korea.

Concentraciones de mercurio total en sangre y cabello por ingesta de pescado en niños, mujeres embarazadas y en edad reproductiva residentes de los municipios aledaños al lago de Chapala, Jalisco - México / Concentrations of total mercury in blood and hair and fish intake in children, residents of the municipalities bordering to the Chapala lake, Mexico

Environmental pollution (water, sediment and fish) poses serious threats to the Chapala lake, Mexico. We seek to identify the concentrations of totalMercury (Hg) in children, pregnant women and in reproductive age from the communities around the lake. We will use blood samples and hair samples as biomarkers. Exposure will be assessed by dietary habits (quantity, frequency, species and type of fish consumed).Taking in consideration that some groups may be more susceptible to Mercury (Hg). In particular, the fetus, newborn babies and infants are at high risk because their nervous system is particularly delicate. Exposure to Hg during pregnancy can affect the neuronal connection and the mielinization of the nervous system, which may result in reduced number of cells neurons " in active" at the end of life. Very limited data exists in Mexico, protection measures are difficult to support without reliable information (e.g., possible damage from fish consumption). Therefore, this investigation seeks to generate hypothesis (cross sectional study) regarding the concentrations of Hg inside the organism soon after the fish consumption. We will evaluate the possible health risk e.g., children'sneurological damages, pregnant women and those in reproductive age.

Consumo de pescado e outros alimentos pela população ribeirinha do lago grande de monte alegre, pa - brasil

The present study shows the results on the fish consumption and other food itens by the riparian population from Monte Alegre Lake, Lower Amazon, in Pará State, Brazil. The data were colected monthly during two years jointly with 35 families from 17 fishery communities that practice the fishery with a subsistence or commercial goal, as well as families that not fish. The mean fish consumption was of 369 g/capita/day complemented with 6.1 g/capita/ day of fish flouer, called locally "piracuí". The species preferred were curimatá (Prochilodus nigricans) and acarí-bodó (Liposarcus pardalis). Manioc flouer consumption was higher than in other regions. Families consume fish each 6 days a week. Extrapoling for all population of Lago Grande de Monte Alegre, the fish consumption is more than 3 t/day and about 1,114 t/year.

O presente artigo apresenta resultados sobre o consumo de pescado e outros alimentos pela população ribeirinha do Lago Grande de Monte Alegre, no Estado do Pará, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados mensalmente, por um período de dois anos juntos a 35 famílias de 17 comunidades, que praticam a pesca com fins comerciais e de subsistência, bem como as famílias que nào pescam. O consumo médio de pescado foi de 369 g/capita/dia, complementado com 6,lg/capita/dia de farinha de peixe (piracuí). As espécies mais consumidas foram: curimatá (Prochilodus nigricans) e acarí-bodó (Liposarcus partialis). Em média, as famílias tiveram alguma refeição constituída de pescado em 6 dias de cada semana. Extrapolando para toda a população do Lago, o consumo diário de pescado é pouco mais de 3 t, chegando a 1.114 t/ano.

Research Advance of Health Risk Assessment on Methylmercury Exposure / 环境与健康杂志

Methylmercury is a potent toxicant, bioaccumulated and concentrated through the aquatic food chain, placing risks to human on the top of the chain. Based on the researches of adverse health effects exposed to methylmercury, several health risk assessment indexes (reference dose, provisional tolerable weekly intake, occupational mercury exposure assessment indexes ) and experiences on methylmercury exposure prevention (mainly on fish consumption) from the developed countries are presented in this paper.