Adult Women’s Blood Mercury Concentrations Vary Regionally in the United States: Association with Patterns of Fish Consumption (NHANES 1999–2004)

Abstract

BackgroundThe current, continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has included blood mercury (BHg) and fish/shellfish consumption since it began in 1999. NHANES 1999–2004 data form the basis for these analyses.ObjectivesThis study was designed to determine BHg distributions within U.S. Census regions and within coastal and noncoastal areas among women of childbearing age, their association with patterns of fish consumption, and changes from 1999 through 2004.MethodsWe performed univariate and bivariate analyses to determine the distribution of BHg and fish consumption in the population and to investigate differences by geography, race/ethnicity, and income. We used multivariate analysis (regression) to determine the strongest predictors of BHg among geography, demographic factors, and fish consumption.ResultsElevated BHg occurred more commonly among women of childbearing age living in coastal areas of the United States (approximately one in six women). Regionally, exposures differ across the United States: Northeast > South and West > Midwest. Asian women and women with higher income ate more fish and had higher BHg. Time-trend analyses identified reduced BHg and reduced intake of Hg in the upper percentiles without an overall reduction of fish consumption.ConclusionsBHg is associated with income, ethnicity, residence (census region and coastal proximity). From 1999 through 2004, BHg decreased without a concomitant decrease in fish consumption. Data are consistent with a shift over this time period in fish species in women’s diets.

Concentration of metals in blood of Maine children 1–6 years old

“…Over 90% of Hg in blood is typically in the form of methyl Hg (NRC, 2000), and is presumed to come from fish and shellfish intake. Our finding that blood levels of Hg were similar to those from NHANES suggest that young Maine children are not at increased risk for Hg exposure from fish compared with the general US population, unlike the increased blood Hg concentrations observed in women of child-bearing age living along the coast or in the northeast (Mahaffey et al, 2009). However, these regional patterns have not been studied in young children.…”

“…Elevated Mn levels are also routinely encountered, and Sb has been detected in several public water supplies as well as private wells throughout Maine. We also hypothesized that young children in Maine may have increased body burdens of Hg, given that women of child-bearing age living along the coast or in the northeast have higher body burdens of Hg than other segments of the US population (Mahaffey et al, 2009).…”

Benefits of mercury controls for the United States

“…For our base case scenario, we assume that fish MeHg in both freshwater and marine ecosystems responds after 10 y to proportionally reflect changes in atmospheric inputs (we test the response to this assumption in our sensitivity analysis) (30,37). We specify base year blood MeHg, as a biomarker for MeHg exposure, by region, based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (40). We then scale blood concentrations based on the change in intake of fish MeHg (change in deposition plus time lag), taking into account consumption of domestic freshwater and imported fish species from global fisheries, using data from US seafood market studies (41) and data compiled by the US Environmental Protection Agency on noncommercial anglers (15,42).…”

Reliability and Validity of a Culturally Appropriate Food Frequency Questionnaire to Measure Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intakes in Midwestern African American Women of Childbearing Age

“…2 The terms omega-3 and omega-6 refer to the placement of the first double bond 3 or 6 carbon atoms away from the methyl carbon, respectively. 2,39 Through de novo fatty acid synthesis, the body has the ability to produce other PUFAs, but due to the inability of mammals to add double bonds after the 10 th carbon on the methyl terminal end of a fatty acid chain, the omega-3 fatty acid ALA (18:3n-3) and the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (18:2n-6) (LA) cannot by synthesized by humans. LA and ALA are "essential fatty acids", meaning they have to be obtained from the diet and they are both substrates to other fatty acids that are needed for physiological functions in the body.…”

“…2,3,40 AA is a major component of phospholipids found in the cell membranes of brain tissue, retinal tissue and platelets, as well as, a substrate for signaling molecules called eicosanoids. 2,3,39.40 A cell's response to outside stimuli is the production of eicosanoids which are involved in a variety of processes, including muscle contraction, immune response, inflammation, stimulation/inhibition of platelet aggregation and cell adhesion. 2,3,39 Eicosanoids derived from AA promote inflammation, stimulation/inhibition of platelet aggregation, as well as cell growth and proliferation.…”