Low-level methylmercury exposure through rice ingestion in a cohort of pregnant mothers in rural China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rice ingestion is an important dietary exposure pathway for methylmercury. There are few studies concerning prenatal methylmercury exposure through rice ingestion, yet the health risks are greatest to the developing fetus, and thus should be investigated.

Objectives

Our main objective was to quantify dietary methylmercury intake through rice and fish/shellfish ingestion among pregnant mothers living in southern China, where rice was a staple food and mercury contamination was considered minimal.

Methods

A total of 398 mothers were recruited at parturition, who donated scalp hair and blood samples. Total mercury and/or methylmercury concentrations were measured in biomarkers, in rice samples from each participant's home, and in fish tissue purchased from loc

SUBMITTER: Hong C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5003649 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature