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

Adam M. Schaefer, Matthew Zoffer, Luke Yrastorza, Daniel M. Pearlman, Gregory D. Bossart, Ruel Stoessel and John S. Reif
Additional contact information
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
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

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-12

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.

Keywords: mercury; fish consumption; prenatal contaminant exposure; seafood advisories (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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