Trends in blood mercury concentrations and fish consumption among U.S. women of reproductive age, NHANES, 1999–2010

Birch, Rebecca; Bigler, Jeff; Rogers, J.; Zhuang, Yan; Clickner, Robert P.

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2014.02.001

Cited by 47 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Mercury enters the body through the air, food and water, and is then distributed to all bodily tissues from the bloodstream within 3 days and subsequently eliminated slowly through feces and urine [5]. In the general population, most blood mercury levels are considered to be from organic methylmercury through fish consumption [6]. The half-life of total mercury is 57 ± 18 days in blood and 64 ± 22 days in hair [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood mercury concentrations are associated with decline in liver function in an elderly population: a panel study

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and is known to affect many diseases. However, few studies have examined the effects of mercury exposure on liver function in the general population. We examined the association between blood mercury concentrations and liver enzyme levels in the elderly. Methods: We included 560 elderly participants (60 years or older) who were recruited from 2008 to 2010 and followed up to 2014. Subjects visited a community welfare center and underwent a medical examination and measurement of mercury levels up to five times. Analyses using generalized estimating equations model were performed after adjusting for age, sex, education, overweight, alcohol consumption, smoking, regular exercise, high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, and total calorie intake. Additionally, we estimated interaction effects of alcohol consumption with mercury and mediation effect of oxidative stress in the relationship between mercury levels and liver function.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood mercury concentrations are associated with decline in liver function in an elderly population: a panel study

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…NHANES provides data from a representative sample of the U.S. population and various analyses have reported predictors of higher THg, including male sex, older age, non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity, greater fish consumption, and higher income (Birch et al, 2014; Caldwell, et al, 2009; Mehaffey et al, 2004; Razzaghi et al, 2014; Tyrrell et al, 2013; Xue et al, 2012). THg concentrations over time have also been useful to examine whether there may be increased risk for excessive MeHg fetal exposure, using THg or organic Hg (calculated as THg minus IHg) in women of child-bearing age as a surrogate (Schober et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Total and methyl mercury in whole blood measured for the first time in the U.S. population: NHANES 2011–2012

Mortensen

Caudill

Caldwell

et al. 2014

Environmental Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Despite the public health and toxicologic interest in methyl mercury (MeHg) and ethyl mercury (EHg), these mercury species have been technically difficult to measure in large population studies. Methods Using NHANES 2011–2012 data, we calculated reference ranges and examined demographic factors associated with specific mercury species concentrations and the ratio of MeHg to THg. We conducted several multiple regression analyses to examine factors associated with MeHg concentrations and also with the ratio of MeHg to THg. Results Asians had the highest geometric mean concentrations for MeHg, 1.58 μg/L (95% CI 1.29, 1.93) and THg, 1.86 μg/L (1.58, 2.19), followed by non-Hispanic blacks with MeHg, 0.52 μg/L (0.39, 0.68) and THg, 0.68 μg/L (0.54, 0.85). Greater education attainment in adults and male sex were associated with higher MeHg and THg concentrations. Race/ethnicity, age, and sex were significant predictors of MeHg concentrations, which increased with age and were highest in Asians in all age categories, followed by non-Hispanic blacks. Mexican Americans had the lowest adjusted MeHg concentrations. The ratio of MeHg to THg was highest in Asians, varied by racial/ethnic group, and increased with age in a non-linear fashion. The amount of increase in the MeHg to THg ratio with age depended on the initial ratio, with a greater increase as age increased. Of the overall population, 3.05% (95% CI 1.77, 4.87) had MeHg concentrations >5.8 μg/L (a value that corresponds to the U.S. EPA reference dose). The prevalence was highest in Asians at 15.85% (95% CI 11.85, 20.56), increased with age, reaching a maximum of 9.26% (3.03, 20.42) at ages 60–69 years. Females 16–44 years old had a 1.76% (0.82–3.28) prevalence of MeHg concentrations >5.8 μg/L. Conclusions Asians, males, older individuals, and adults with greater educational attainment had higher MeHg concentrations. The ratio of MeHg to THg varied with racial/ethnic group, increased with age, and was nonlinear. U.S. population reference values for MeHg and the ratio of MeHg to THg can assist in more precise assessment of public health risk from MeHg consumed in seafood.

show abstract

“…Unfortunately, the original MeHg advisories had the unintended consequence of decreasing maternal seafood consumption, thereby reducing the potential benefits for these populations of eating seafood [54]. A more recent study indicates that the MeHg advisories' message may now be better received, as women of childbearing age are eating seafood but switching to products with lower levels of mercury [55]. The FDA and EPA are in the process of revising seafood advisories for MeHg in light of the expert consensus that the benefits of seafood consumption outweigh the risks [34,56].…”

Section: Consumption-focused Policiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fisheries, food, and health in the USA: the importance of aligning fisheries and health policies

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Food availability, access, and utilization are the three pillars of food security and need to be aligned in order to support a healthy population. United States (US) fisheries policy plays an important role in seafood availability. US health policy impacts access and utilization of seafood in various ways; however, health policies are often disconnected from fisheries policy. Aligning fisheries and health policies is imperative to improve food security. We address two questions with our work: (1) how would US federal fisheries policy be different if our fisheries were managed with beneficial health outcomes for Americans as clear objectives; and (2) how would US health policy be different if one of its goals was to support sustainable domestic fisheries and aquaculture?Results: We report how fisheries policies and health policies are additive, synergistic, or antagonistic with regard to seafood, and provide illustrative examples of collaboration between health and fisheries communities at different levels of the food system (federal and state policies, corporate partnerships, and civil society). We also develop a list of topics for future research, and opportunities to align and integrate fisheries and health policies. Conclusions:Managing fisheries to promote optimal nutrition and efficient food production likely requires a different approach to fisheries management-new outcomes will need to be monitored, new approaches found, and fisheries, aquaculture, and health policies better integrated. Health policies rarely consider the source of fish, their connections with US fisheries systems, and global distribution of seafood. Change can begin where the most promising opportunities exist, such as institutional food procurement, Farm to School programs, social marketing campaigns, and private sector start-ups. Continued development in fisheries and health policies, however, will need to occur at multiple levels of federal policy, and across the different domains and dimensions of the food system (e.g., social, political, biophysical, economic).

show abstract

Trends in blood mercury concentrations and fish consumption among U.S. women of reproductive age, NHANES, 1999–2010

Cited by 47 publications

References 19 publications

Blood mercury concentrations are associated with decline in liver function in an elderly population: a panel study

Blood mercury concentrations are associated with decline in liver function in an elderly population: a panel study

Total and methyl mercury in whole blood measured for the first time in the U.S. population: NHANES 2011–2012

Fisheries, food, and health in the USA: the importance of aligning fisheries and health policies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About