Factors affecting the mercury concentration in the hair of young residents of the Vologda region, Russia

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess the level of mercury accumulation in the hair of students studying in the Vologda Region, Russia. Particular attention is devoted to clarifying the relationship between the metal concentration in the hair and the amount of fish in the diet. It was found that the mercury content in the hair of Vologda Region residents aged 17–21 is in the range from less than 0.002 mg/kg to 1.69 mg/kg, the median of the indicator for the entire sample is 0.14 mg/kg. The median value of mercury content in the hair of males (0.12 mg/kg) is lower than in the hair of females (0.16 mg/kg). The lowest metal concentrations were observed in individuals living in the city of Cherepovets and the highest metal concentration among the entire sample and in females in the western areas, and males in the eastern areas of the Vologda Region. The concentration of metal in the hair of the urban population is lower than in subjects living in rural areas. A higher metal content in the hair was recorded in individuals whose diet usually contains fish twice a month.

Mercury Levels Assessment in the Population of Aby and Frambo Villages in the Vinicity of Aby Lagoon in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)

“…There was no significant difference between males and females of Aby respondents contrary to Frambo participants However, considering the whole sample, the difference associated with gender persists. Our finding concerning the lowest mercury level in women was in accordance to others results such us those of [51] and [52], contradictory trend was observed by [50] and [53].…”

“…At the same time, we noticed a significant highest Hg level in Aby village, this difference of mercury level may due to frequency [50], high rate of fish consumption in their dietary habits and its species composition like many favored predatory fish [51].…”

Concentration of selected elements in the hair of Madagascar girls in relation to nutritional status and place of residence

“…Our results were in line with other authors who have shown that the place of residence has the most significant influence on the results (38,(72)(73)(74)(75) . In many residences, consumption of fish, whose meat is contaminated with Hg, has the highest importance (76,77) , but fish in the Malagasy's diet are rare. However, it must be remembered, that girls from these two studied places of residence consumed different food.…”