Assessment of chronic mercury exposure within the U.S. population, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2006

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess chronic mercury exposure within the US population. Time trends were analyzed for blood inorganic mercury (I-Hg) levels in 6,174 women, ages 18-49, in the NHANES, 1999-2006 data sets. Multivariate logistic regression distinguished a significant, direct correlation within the US population between I-Hg detection and years since the start of the survey (OR = 1.49, P < 0.001). Within this population, I-Hg detection rose sharply from 2% in 1999-2000 to 30% in 2005-2006. In addition, the population averaged mean I-Hg concentration rose significantly over that same period from 0.33 to 0.39 μ/L (Anova, P < 0.001). In a separate analysis, multivariate logistic regression indicated that I-Hg detection was significantly associated with age (OR = 1.02, P < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression revealed significant associations of both I-Hg detection and mean concentration with biomarkers for the main targets of mercury deposition and effect: the liver, immune system, and pituitary. This study provides compelling evidence that I-Hg deposition within the human body is a cumulative process, increasing with age and in the population over time, since 1999, as a result of chronic mercury exposure. Furthermore, our results indicate that I-Hg deposition is associated with the significant biological markers for main targets of exposure, deposition, and effect. Accumulation of focal I-Hg deposits within the human body due to chronic mercury exposure provides a mechanism which suggests a time dependent rise in the population risks for associated disease.

A biomarker of mercury body-burden correlated with diagnostic domain specific clinical symptoms of autism spectrum disorder

“…There has been a dramatic increase in exposure to mercury in the last twenty years (Schuster et al 2002), an increase in detected blood mercury levels in the US population (Laks 2009), and a dramatic increase in the rates of autism (Kalia 2008;Hertz-Picciotto and Delwiche 2009;Hertz-Picciotto 2009;Rutter 2005). Many studies have shown an association between mercury and autism (Lopez-Hertado and Prieto 2008;DeSoto and Hitlan 2007;Adams et al 2007), and some studies have also indicated a role of other toxic metals (Adams et al 2009); however, this present study takes the investigation one step further and shows an association between mercury toxicity and the specific hallmark features of autism and PDD-NOS.…”

Association Between Serum Mercury Concentration and Leukocyte Differential Count in Children

“…Laks et al showed that the total white blood cell count was inversely associated with mercury [10]. Occupational exposure to mercury vapor caused T cell proliferation in humans [11].…”

Thimerosal-containing hepatitis b vaccination and the risk for diagnosed specific delays in development in the united states: A case-control study in the vaccine safety datalink

“…For example, investigators reported on time trends on blood inorganic-Hg levels in 6,174 women, aged 18-49, in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2006 data sets. [8] That study documented that the percentage of women with detectable levels of inorganic-Hg in the blood rose sharply from 2% in 1999-2000 to 30% in 2005-2006. In addition, the population mean inorganic-Hg concentration in the blood rose significantly over that same period, from 0.33-0.39 μg/L.…”