The Relationship between Fish Consumption and Blood Mercury Levels in Residents of Busan Metropolitan City and Gyeongnam Province / 農村醫學 地域保健
Journal of Agricultural Medicine & Community Health
; : 223-232, 2012.
Article
in Korean
| WPRIM (Western Pacific)
| ID: wpr-719832
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between fish consumption and blood mercury levels in a sample of adult Koreans.METHODS:
The study subjects were 299 residents of Busan (male 65, female 234) and 185 residents of Namhae (male 69, female 116), South Korea. Demographic characteristics, current smoking, current drinking, fish consumption per week, past history of amalgam treatment, and residential district were recorded by trained interviewers in June and July, 2009. We considered a portion of fish to be equivalent to 70 gm weight, and calculated amounts of fish consumed per week. Using chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis, we estimated the relationships between blood mercury levels and amount of fish consumed per week and other factors.RESULTS:
The mean blood mercury level of our subjects was 6.61 microgram/L, higher than the criterion defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (5.8 microgram/L). In multiple linear regression analysis, residential district and amount of fish consumed per week were associated with blood mercury levels. However, marital status, current drinking, and gender, and age were not associated with blood mercury levels.CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, we suggest the implementation of systematic and periodic population-based studies to decrease the risks of mercury poisoning among South Koreans who consume fish as a regular part of the diet.
Full text:
Available
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
Health problem:
Target 3.9: Reduce the amount of deaths produced by dangerous chemicals and the pollution of the air, water and soil
Database:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Smoke
/
United States Environmental Protection Agency
/
Smoking
/
Linear Models
/
Surveys and Questionnaires
/
Marital Status
/
Diet
/
Drinking
/
Republic of Korea
/
Mercury Poisoning
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
Korean
Journal:
Journal of Agricultural Medicine & Community Health
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article