Mercury contents in hair from inhabitants of Almaden (Spain) in relation to surrounding areas

摘要

The present study aims to assess not only the diet influence on mercury contents in hair but also environmental exposures. For this purpose, two sampling areas were selected: one in Almaden and its surroundings, the largest world mercury mining region, and the other in Ciudad Real, a city located 100km from Almaden. Collection was not limited to local population; however locals were majority in both cases. Concentrations of total mercury in the 188 hair samples analyzed ranged from 0.05 to 9.01μg·g <'-1>, with a median concentration of 2.22μg·g<'-1>. A multivariate regression model showed that gender, age, fish consumption and residence were associated with concentrations of mercury in the analyzed hair samples. Concentrations were higher in males than in females, in older people, and in people with higher fish consnmption. Concentrations were also higher in Almaden inhabitants compared to those from the rest of Castilla-La Mancha. About 80% of hair donors had mercury in hair exceeding 1μg ·g<'-1>, corresponding to the reference dose of US Environmental Protection Agency.