Resumen

LLORENTE BALLESTEROS, M.ªT. et al. Methylmercury in the hair of a children population. Sanid. Mil. [online]. 2011, vol.67, n.3, pp.299-303. ISSN 1887-8571.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1887-85712011000400007.

Introduction: The methylmercury (MeHg) is the most abundant organic compound of mercury in the environment. This is a strong neurotoxic which is able to cross the blood-brain and the placental barriers. Even at low levels, it can originate alterations in the brain that affect the processes of the fetus-children development. The main source of MeHg is the intake of contaminated fish. Objectives: The EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) recommended MeHg levels in hair of 1 μg/g, while the JECFA (FAO/OMS) established safety levels of MeHg in hair of 2,2 μg/g. This study of MeHg in hair was carried out in the Region of Madrid's young population because Spain is a great fish consumer, and due to the fetal and children vulnerability to MeHg. Material and methods: 472 children participated, They were categorized by age and by frequency of weekly fish consumption. The age categories were the following: 0-5, 6-10, 11-15 and older than 15, and the frequency of weekly fish consumption was based on an individualized questionnaire with four options (non consumers, consume 1-2 times / week, consume 3-4 t/w, consume more than 4 t/w). The analyses were made by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Espectroscopy. Results: The study carried out with SPSS shows significant differences in the levels of MeHg in hair, among those that consume more than 4 t/w, and those that do not consume (0,68 vs 2,34 μg/g). The median obtained for the different age categories were: 0,53 μg/g, 1,01 μg/g, 1,56 μg/g and 0,93 μg/g. Discussion: Similar studies in countries with low or no consume or fish show that hair mercury levels are below 0.5 μg/g. In contrast, in Spain, because its diet rich in fish, the lowest hair mercury levels are higher than that figure. Conclussion: The study concludes that, at least 2,5% of the children population of the Region of Madrid exceed the limits of safety recommended by JECFA (FAO/OMS) and approximately 30% exceed the limits of safety for MeHg in hair establish by US EPA.

Palabras clave : Mercury; Methylmercury; Hair; Children; Fish.

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