The relation between Human fish consumption and Mercury bioaccumulation in scalp hair in Khoozestan Province

Subject Areas : New Technologies in Aquaculture Development

A.R. Mobarhan Fard ¹ , A. Esmaili-Sari ² , Sh.A. Nezami ³ , N. Qaemi ⁴

1 - Ph.D. Student, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University
2 - Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University
3 - Faculty of Natural Resources, Islamic Azad University, Branch Lahijan
4 - Faculty of Biotechnology, Tehran University

Received: 2019-11-07 Accepted : 2019-11-07 Published : 2008-08-22

Keywords: Fish consumption, Mercury (Hg), Human Scalp hair,

Abstract :

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Mercury (Hg) concentration in human scalp hair in Khoozestan Province according to gender and age category and its relation with fish consumption. Hair sample was completely related to methyl mercury (MeHg) exposure and can be used to estimate MeHg exposure in several months or a year before. Eighty-eight human scalp hair samples collected randomly. Also, the survey included a questionnaire designed to provide information about the parameters that influenced body Hg concentration. Determination of samples Hg concentration performed by LECO, AMA254, Advanced Mercury Analyzer according to ASTM Method D-6722. Overall mean concentration in the hair was 1601.05±232.68 ppb (Mean±S.E). Mean concentration in the females and males’ hair was 1555.01±279.08 and 1658.89±394.88 ppb, respectively. Significant positive correlation was between Hg concentration and number of fish meals (P<0.01). In 2.27 percent of samples (2 samples), mercury concentration was more than EPA & WHO threshold level (10ppm).