Mercury and Methylmercury Exposure in the New Jersey Pregnant Population |
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| Authors: | Alan H. Stern Michael Gochfeld Clifford Weisel Joanna Burger |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Division of Science, Research and Technology, New Jersey Department of, Environmental Protection , Trenton, New Jersey;2. Department of Environmental and Community, Medicine , University of Medicine and Dentistry, of N.J.-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , Piscataway, New Jersey;3. Environmental and Occupational, Health Sciences Institute , Piscataway, New Jersey;4. Department of Biology , Rutgers University , Piscataway, New Jersey |
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| Abstract: | Methylmercury is a known fetal developmental neurotoxicant. The only significant source of fetal exposure is maternal fish consumption; however, few recent data on exposure of the pregnant population are available. The authors undertook a study of methylmercury exposure in the New Jersey pregnant population to investigate the distribution of exposure and to identify predictors of elevated exposure. Mainly first-trimester pregnant women were recruited through six New Jersey obstetric practices. Hair and blood samples were analyzed for total mercury, and a subset was analyzed for methylmercury. A questionnaire on demographics, life style, and fish-consumption practices was also administered. Although 85-90% of the pregnant population had hair mercury levels that were less than 1.0 μg/gm, 1-2% had levels in a range of possible concern for adverse developmental effects (> 4.0 μg/gm). Regression analysis suggested that blacks and individuals with some college education experienced lower exposures to methylmercury. |
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| Keywords: | fish mercury methylmercury pregnant |
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