An Analysis of Mercury Exposures Among the Adult Population in New York State

Details

• Personal Author:
  Fletcher AM ; Gelberg KH
• Description:
  The extent of methylmercury exposures among adults in New York State (NYS) has not been well characterized. Over the past few years, the NYS Heavy Metals Registry (HMR) has seen an increase in both blood mercury tests being reported, and non-occupational exposures to mercury, which appear primarily due to fish consumption. This study will, (1) Characterize the adults who are tested for blood mercury in NYS; (2) Examine the circumstances for blood mercury testing; and (3) Characterize this population in terms of exposure history, specifically those individuals who are non-occupationally exposed through a diet of seafood consumption in reference to blood mercury levels. Data available from HMR laboratory results, including basic demographics and test results, were combined with data from telephone interviews. The interview contains information on the reasons for testing, possible sources of exposure, and the individual's work and home environment. Approximately 99 % of adults reported to the HMR, with identifiable exposures to mercury, had non-occupational exposures resulting from seafood consumption. Common types of fish consumed include salmon, tuna, and swordfish, with 90 % of adults eating seafood a few times or more per week. Information will be provided on the reasons for being tested and the range of blood mercury levels in relation to their seafood consumption. NYS residents who frequently eat fish should be aware of what types of fish contain mercury and avoid or reduce consumption of fish with high mercury levels. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Blood Demography Diet Environmental Exposure Epidemiology Hematologic Tests Mercury Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Adults Author Keywords: Mercury Blood Testing Blood Tests Demographic Characteristics Dietary Effects Environmental Exposure Exposure Levels Fish Food Methylmercury Seafood

  More +
• ISSN:
  0094-5145
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  38
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054275
• Citation:
  J Community Health 2013 Jun; 38(3):529-537
• Contact Point Address:
  A. M. Fletcher, New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Occupational Health and Injury Prevention, Corning Tower, Room 1325, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, USA
• Email:
  amk05@health.state.ny.us
• CAS Registry Number:
  Mercury (CAS RN 7439-97-6) ; Methylmercury(1+) (CAS RN 22967-92-6)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• Performing Organization:
  Center of Environmental Health, Menands, New York
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20010701
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Community Health
• End Date:
  20060630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:54a4ccd6bfd523d008079ac959fc1e7cac3ce85136989c47d13a4a9ebe244007a9fe694406aafc321d56c7ae4015f120150d74e3572f065663d1642a979c43e8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216870/cdc_216870_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 416.91 KB ]