Question

Which of the following regions are mentioned as having subpopulations that exceed tolerable dietary intakes of methylmercury due to high fish consumption?

• A. East Asia, Africa, and South America
• B. Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia
• C. Scandinavia, North America, and France
• D. Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Scandinavia, North America, and France

• Emissions of mercury to the air from both anthropogenic and natural sources are in inorganic forms that can be converted biologically to methylmercury in soil and water.

• Methylmercury bioaccumulates and enters the human body readily via the dietary route.

• 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