To assess the impact of elevated levels of inorganic mercury in soil and dust and organic mercury in fish, biological monitoring was conducted among Native Americans living next to an inactive mercury mine in Clear Lake, California. Of resident tribal members, 46% (n = 56) participated in biomonitoring. Urine mercury levels are equivalent to background, indicating that soil and dust exposures among study participants are not substantial. The average blood organic mercury level among study participants is 15.6 +/- 8.8 micrograms/l (n = 44), which is higher than levels reported by others among those who do not consume fish (2 micrograms/l). Consistent with results from other studies, a correlation between fish consumption and blood organic mercury is observed (p = 0.03). The margin between observed and established adverse effect levels for adults is examined for blood organic mercury and found to be less than 10-fold for 20% of the study population. Protective public health efforts for the study population and other similarly exposed populations, notably those who consume commercial fish products, are considered.ImagesFigure 1.
To ass the impc of elraltd level of inooqanic mrcury in soil and dust and oganic mery in fish, b g ngNli eto an inactive mercur min inCer Lae, Calfoni. Ofrsdntia memer, 46% (i-@ 56 atcptdi biomonitong.Urine mercury leelsareequivalent to baclground, indWicatingthat soil anddust ecposures among sudy are not iThe avage blo or ncmeruy lev among sty ip ts is 15.6 * 8.8 pgl (n = 44), which is highr than leves reported by others among those who do not consme fish (2 lg/l). C it with results fiom other studies, a on between fish consumption d blood orgnic mercury is observed (p-0.03). The margin between observed and adver effectlevs for adults is e for blood organic mercu iand f to be less than 10-fold for 10% of the study Protecive public health &effot for the study pop on and others lary ex popuions, notably those who consume commerial fih products, are considered. we contaminated soil, fish advisories, fish consumpion, inorgnic mercury, methyl mercury, Native Amercans.
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