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Mercury Exposure in Ireland: Results of the DEMOCOPHES Human Biomonitoring Study

Author

Listed:
  • Elizabeth Cullen

    (Department of Community of Health, Health Service Executive, Kildare, Ireland)

  • David S. Evans

    (Department of Public Health, Health Service Executive, Galway, Ireland)

  • Fred Davidson

    (Public Analyst's Laboratory Health Service Executive, Cork, Ireland)

  • Padraig Burke

    (Public Analyst's Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Galway, Ireland)

  • Damien Burns

    (Project Manager, Health Service Executive, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, Ireland)

  • Andrew Flanagan

    (Public Analyst's Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Galway, Ireland)

  • Chris Griffin

    (Public Analyst's Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Dublin 2, Ireland)

  • Anne Kellegher

    (Environmental Health Service, Health Service Executive, Leitrim, Ireland)

  • Rory Mannion

    (Public Analyst's Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Galway, Ireland)

  • Maurice Mulcahy

    (Environmental Health Service, Health Service Executive, Galway, Ireland)

  • Michael Ryan

    (Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin 4, Ireland)

  • Pierre Biot

    (Federal Public Service Health, Food chain safety and Environment, Brussels 1060, Belgium)

  • Ludwine Casteleyn

    (University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium)

  • Argelia Castaño

    (Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Environmental Toxicology Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain)

  • Jürgen Angerer

    (Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum 44789, Germany)

  • Holger M. Koch

    (Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum 44789, Germany)

  • Marta Esteban

    (Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Environmental Toxicology Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain)

  • Birgit K. Schindler

    (Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum 44789, Germany)

  • Carmen Navarro

    (Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Environmental Toxicology Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain)

  • Marike Kolossa-Gehring

    (Federal Environment Agency, Berlin 14195, Germany)

  • Ulrike Fiddicke

    (Federal Environment Agency, Berlin 14195, Germany)

  • Greet Schoeters

    (Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, MolB-2400, Belgium)

  • Elly Den Hond

    (Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, MolB-2400, Belgium)

  • Ovnair Sepai

    (Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton OX11 ORQ, Oxfordshire UK)

  • Karen Exley

    (Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton OX11 ORQ, Oxfordshire UK)

  • Louis Bloemen

    (Environmental Health Science International, 4561 HV Hulst, The Netherlands)

  • Lisbeth E. Knudsen

    (Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1353, Denmark)

  • Reinhard Joas

    (BiPRO GmbH, Munich 81545, Germany)

  • Anke Joas

    (BiPRO GmbH, Munich 81545, Germany)

  • Dominique Aerts

    (Federal Public Service Health, Food chain safety and Environment, Brussels 1060, Belgium)

Abstract

Background : Monitoring of human exposure to mercury is important due to its adverse health effects. This study aimed to determine the extent of mercury exposure among mothers and their children in Ireland, and to identify factors associated with elevated levels. It formed part of the Demonstration of a study to Coordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale (DEMOCOPHES) pilot biomonitoring study. Methods : Hair mercury concentrations were determined from a convenience sample of 120 mother/child pairs. Mothers also completed a questionnaire. Rigorous quality assurance within DEMOCOPHES guaranteed the accuracy and international comparability of results. Results : Mercury was detected in 79.2% of the samples from mothers, and 62.5% of children’s samples. Arithmetic mean levels in mothers (0.262 µg/g hair) and children (0.149 µg /g hair) did not exceed the US EPA guidance value. Levels were significantly higher for those with higher education, and those who consumed more fish. Conclusions : The study demonstrates the benefit of human biomonitoring for assessing and comparing internal exposure levels, both on a population and an individual basis. It enables the potential harmful impact of mercury to be minimised in those highly exposed, and can therefore significantly contribute to population health.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Cullen & David S. Evans & Fred Davidson & Padraig Burke & Damien Burns & Andrew Flanagan & Chris Griffin & Anne Kellegher & Rory Mannion & Maurice Mulcahy & Michael Ryan & Pierre Biot & Ludw, 2014. "Mercury Exposure in Ireland: Results of the DEMOCOPHES Human Biomonitoring Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:9:p:9760-9775:d:40325
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Martine Bellanger & Céline Pichery & Dominique Aerts & Marika Berglund & Argelia Castaño & Mája Čejchanová & Pierre Crettaz & Fred Davidson & Marta Esteban & Marc E Fischer & Anca Elena Gurzau & Katar, 2013. "Economic benefits of methylmercury exposure control in Europe: Monetary value of neurotoxicity prevention," Post-Print hal-01505639, HAL.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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