Human milk as a source of methylmercury exposure in infants

Journal Article · Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.9410274· OSTI ID:6888459

Grandjean, P ^[1]; Jorgensen, P J ^[2]; Weihe, P ^[3]

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1. Odense Univ. (Denmark)
2. Odense Univ. Hospital (Denmark)
3. Landssjukrahusid, Torshavn (Faroe Islands)

As methylmercury is excreted in human milk and infants are particularly susceptible to toxicity due to this compound, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible transfer of methylmercury to infants via breast-feeding. In a community with a high intake of seafood, 583 children from a birth cohort were followed. The duration of nursing was recorded, and hair samples were obtained for mercury analysis at approximately 12 months of age. The hair mercury concentrations increased with the length of the nursing period, and those nursed throughout the first year showed the highest geometric mean (9.0 nmol/g or 1.8 [mu]g/g). Human milk therefore seems to be an important source of methylmercury exposure in infants. As increasing time interval from weaning to hair sample collection was not associated with any detectable decrease in mercury concentrations. A slow or absent elimination of methylmercury during the first year after birth could explain this finding. In certain fishing communities, infants nursed for long periods may be at increased risk of developing methylmercury toxicity. 25 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6888459
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States) Vol. 102:1; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPAZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550500 -- Metabolism
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE GROUPS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BODY FLUIDS
CHILDREN
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
FEMALES
FISH PRODUCTS
FOOD
FOOD CHAINS
INFANTS
INTAKE
LACTATION
MAMMALS
MAN
MATERIALS
METHYLMERCURY
MILK
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
PRIMATES
SEAFOOD
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
WOMEN