Fish as a source of exposure to mercury and selenium.

Author: Svensson BG, Schutz A, Nilsson A, Akesson I, Akesson B, Skerfving S.

Source: Sci Total Environ.

Year: 1992

Comment:

In this study, plasma and urinary levels of mercury are associated with the number of dental amalgam fillings, and amalgam is recognized as a source of inorganic mercury to the human body.

Abstract / Excerpt:

“In a total of 395 subjects with varying fish consumption habits, mercury levels in whole blood (B-Hg), and selenium levels in plasma (P-Se) were studied. Also, in subcohorts, mercury levels in blood cells (Ery-Hg; n = 79), plasma (P-Hg; n = 158) and urine (U-Hg; n = 125) were analysed. There were statistically significant associations between fish intake on the one hand, and B-Hg, Ery-Hg and P-Hg, on the other, but not so with U-Hg. In subjects who never had fish, the average B-Hg was 1.8 ng/g, in subjects who had at least two fish meals each week, 6.7 ng/g. Ery-Hg, and to a less extent P-Hg, were associated with levels of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in serum phosphatidylcholine. P-Hg and U-Hg were associated with numbers of teeth with amalgam fillings. P-Se also correlated with fish intake. In subjects who never had fish, P-Se averaged 80 micrograms/l, in subjects who had at least two fish meals per week, 91 micrograms/l. There was an association between PUFA and P-Se. Further, there were statistically significant associations between P-Se on the one hand, and B-Hg, Ery-Hg and P-Hg on the other. The data clearly demonstrate the importance of fish for the exposure to methylmercury and selenium in the Swedish diet, and the impact of amalgam as a source of exposure to inorganic mercury.”

Citation:

Svensson B-G, Schutz A, Nilsson A, Akesson I, Akesson B, Skerfving S. Fish as a source of exposure to mercury and selenium. Sci Total Environ. 1992; 126(1):61–74.