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Mercury Exposure, Fish Consumption, and Perceived Risk among Pregnant Women in Coastal Florida

Author

Listed:
  • Adam M. Schaefer

    (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 N, Ft Pierce, FL 34946, USA)

  • Matthew Zoffer

    (Advent Health, Winter Park, FL 32792, USA)

  • Luke Yrastorza

    (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 N, Ft Pierce, FL 34946, USA)

  • Daniel M. Pearlman

    (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 N, Ft Pierce, FL 34946, USA)

  • Gregory D. Bossart

    (Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA
    Division of Comparative Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, PO Box 016960 (R-46), Miami, FL 33101, USA)

  • Ruel Stoessel

    (Pre-Birth Centers of America, 8645 N Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, USA)

  • John S. Reif

    (Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, 1681 Campus, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

Abstract

Seafood consumption is the primary source of mercury (Hg) exposure, particularly among coastal populations. Hg exposure during pregnancy has been associated with cognitive impairment, as well as decrements in memory, attention, fine motor skills, and other markers of delayed neurodevelopment, although results are conflicting. High Hg hair concentrations in persons from coastal Florida, USA, have been previously reported. The purpose of the current study was to determine the concentrations of total Hg (THg) in the hair of pregnant women from this area and to assess the relationships between THg concentration, knowledge of the risks of mercury exposure, and dietary patterns among participants. Participants ( n = 229) were recruited at prenatal clinics. Their mean total hair Hg concentration was 0.31 + 0.54 µg/g, lower or similar to US data for women of child-bearing age. Hair THg concentration was associated with consumption of locally caught fish and all seafood, a higher level of education, and first pregnancy. Eighty-five percent of women were aware of the risks of mercury exposure during pregnancy; over half reported a decrease in seafood consumption during pregnancy. Awareness of Hg in fish was marginally associated with lower hair THg concentration ( p = 0.06) but reduction in seafood consumption during pregnancy was not.

Suggested Citation

  • Adam M. Schaefer & Matthew Zoffer & Luke Yrastorza & Daniel M. Pearlman & Gregory D. Bossart & Ruel Stoessel & John S. Reif, 2019. "Mercury Exposure, Fish Consumption, and Perceived Risk among Pregnant Women in Coastal Florida," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:24:p:4903-:d:294319
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Deborah C. Rice & Rita Schoeny & Kate Mahaffey, 2003. "Methods and Rationale for Derivation of a Reference Dose for Methylmercury by the U.S. EPA," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(1), pages 107-115, February.
    2. Adam M. Schaefer & Emily L. Jensen & Gregory D. Bossart & John S. Reif, 2014. "Hair Mercury Concentrations and Fish Consumption Patterns in Florida Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-18, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Rita Silva & Diana Boaventura & Vera Sequeira, 2024. "Promoting Sustainable Fish Consumption in Portuguese 4th-Grade Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Thomas M. Missimer & James H. MacDonald & Seneshaw Tsegaye & Serge Thomas & Christopher M. Teaf & Douglas Covert & Zoie R. Kassis, 2024. "Natural Background and the Anthropogenic Enrichment of Mercury in the Southern Florida Environment: A Review with a Discussion on Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-44, January.

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