Question

Besides diet, through what other route can methylmercury be transmitted from mother to child?

• A. During childbirth
• B. Through breast milk
• C. Through physical touch after birth
• D. Through shared living spaces

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Through breast milk

• Methylmercury is a potent neurotoxic chemical. Unborn children (i.e. fetuses) are the most susceptible population group, the exposure being mainly from fish in the diet of the mother.

• Methylmercury is also excreted in mothers' milk.

• Human biomonitoring and diet-modelling data indicate that tolerable dietary intakes of methylmercury are exceeded among sub populations that consume large amounts of fish.

• E.g. in Scandinavia, North America and France