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

ABSTRACT:

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

SUBMITTER: Mortensen ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5584810 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature