Cognitive Performance of Children Prenatally Exposed to “Safe” Levels of Methylmercury

Grandjean, Philippe; Weihe, Pál; White, Roberta F.; Debes, Fróði

doi:10.1006/enrs.1997.3804

Cited by 625 publications

(231 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…With respect to the Seychelles Islands, seafood contains essential nutrients, such as nÀ 3 fatty acids, that could act as effect modifiers for methylmercury whereas in the Faroe Islands, these nutrients as well as PCBs could be effect modifiers. Grandjean et al (1998 ) have suggested though that there is no clear association between PCB exposure and neuropsychological test results in children from the Faroe Islands. Also, as the fatty acid intake is reasonably high in both populations, it is possible that they may affect both populations in the same way, and would, therefore not be responsible for the differences in how methylmercury acted between these two populations.…”

Section: Results /Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The authors of the Faroe Islands studies indicate that early dysfunction in children is detectable at exposure levels resulting in maternal hair mercury levels below 10 ppm ( Grandjean et al, 1997 ) . Although only limited dose ± response data are available from this study, the median mercury maternal hair concentration for the cohort was 4.3 ppm and control group formations were made with mothers who had lower exposures and mercury hair concentrations below 3.0 ppm (Grandjean et al, 1997(Grandjean et al, , 1998.…”

Section: Results /Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Effects observed following in utero exposure in poisoning episodes have included blindness, deafness, abnormal reflexes, impaired motor development, spasticity, seizures and deficiencies in memory, learning and psychological parameters (ATSDR, 1997 ) . Three major scientific studies have provided great insight into the possible effects from exposure to methylmercury ( Kjellstro Èm et al, 1986Davidson et al, 1995Davidson et al, , 1998Marsh et al, 1995;Myers et al, 1995;Grandjean et al, 1997Grandjean et al, , 1998. Results from these studies indicate that, with respect to exposure, the populations of greatest concern consist of women of childbearing age and their offspring.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exposure analysis of five fish-consuming populations for overexposure to methylmercury

Mariën

Patrick

2001

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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Mercury, in the form of methylmercury, is found in a myriad of fish species consumed by recreational and subsistence fishers around the world. Many agencies have attempted to address the issue of mercury consumption, resulting at times in the placement of advisories on waterways used for fishing. In this study, consumption rates of three Native American populations and two recreational fishing populations consuming freshwater or saltwater fish species were examined. These consumption rates were combined with fish contamination data to assess the level of exposure to methylmercury and to determine if any of these populations exceed a derived tolerable daily intake ( TDI ) for methylmercury ( 0.035 to 0.08 g / kg / day ) . The TDI is unlikely to result in adverse health effects and is based on scientific studies investigating sensitive endpoints in children of mothers who consume fish over prolonged periods of time. Results from the exposure analysis indicate that many within the Native American populations exceed the TDI. This occurs even though the mercury concentrations in certain fish species are comparable to concentrations found in fish from open waters where``background'' levels are assumed. Recreational anglers consuming freshwater species have exposure levels below the TDI as do nearly all anglers consuming saltwater species. Similar populations or populations having comparable consumption patterns of fish with equal or higher mercury levels in other areas will also exceed the TDI level for mercury. The public health implications of this exposure analysis are discussed.

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Section: Results /Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Results /Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exposure analysis of five fish-consuming populations for overexposure to methylmercury

Mariën

Patrick

2001

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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“…During the last decade, research towards low dose mercury toxicity has come to centre stage as various groups have demonstrated neurotoxic impact of low dose of mercury on fetus (1), children (2) and adults (3). Multiple pathways of Mercury through air (4), water (5), food (6), cosmetic products (7), and even vaccines (8) expose man to the toxicant.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of methyl mercury induced free radical stress on nucleic acids and protein: Implications on cognitive and motor functions

Zahir

Rizvi

Haq

et al. 2006

Indian J Clin Biochem

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“…Another large study was initiated in the Faeroe Islands in 1986 [67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76] . Increased mercury exposure was largely attributed to the eating of pilot whale 68) .…”

Section: Effects Of In Utero Methylmercury Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational and Environmental Toxicology of Mercury and Its Compounds.

Satoh

2000

INDUSTRIAL HEALTH

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Mercury exists in various chemical forms. The important forms from a toxicological viewpoint are the metallic form, also called the elemental form, the divalent inorganic forms and methylmercury compounds. Elemental (Hg 0 ) mercury has a high vapor pressure and the vapor causes a number of cases of poisoning via inhalation. Classical mercury poisoning is characterized by a triad of signs, namely tremors, erethism and gingivitis. Mercurial erethism, which is characterized by behavioral and personality changes such as extreme shyness, excitability, loss of memory, and insomnia are also observed. Recently, the effects of mercury exposure at levels around 0.05 mg/m 3 or lower have been of concern and may include minor renal tubular damage, increased complaints of tiredness, memory disturbance and other symptoms, subclinical finger tremor, abnormal EEG by computerized analysis and impaired performance in neurobehavioral or neuropsychological tests. Abnormal gait, dysarthria, ataxia, deafness and constriction of the visual field are typical of the symptoms of methylmercury poisoning observed in Minamata and Iraqi outbreaks, as well as in occupational methylmercury poisoning cases. Furthermore, an infant born to a mother with excessive methylmercury consumption showed various neurological disturbances and delayed development. Since several populations are believed to be still exposed to methylmercury through the consumption of fish and sea mammals, neurobehavioral deviations in children of these populations have recently been investigated.

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Cognitive Performance of Children Prenatally Exposed to “Safe” Levels of Methylmercury

Cited by 625 publications

References 29 publications

Exposure analysis of five fish-consuming populations for overexposure to methylmercury

Exposure analysis of five fish-consuming populations for overexposure to methylmercury

Effect of methyl mercury induced free radical stress on nucleic acids and protein: Implications on cognitive and motor functions

Occupational and Environmental Toxicology of Mercury and Its Compounds.

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