Mercury level in women increases - study

David Liu davidl at foodconsumer dot org 

More U.S. women today than ever tested positive for inorganic mercury and the average concentration of mercury in women has also increased, according to a study. 

The study published in BioMetals showed 30 percent of women tested in 2005-2006 were positive for inorganic mercury compared to merely 2 percent in 1999-2000. 

For the study, Dan Laks from Mental Retardation Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA examined data from 6,174 women aged18 to 49 participating in the NHANES study from 1999 to 2006. 

Laks found not only that the rate of mercury detection increased from 2 percent in 1999-2000 to 30 percent in 2005 to 2006, but also that the average level of inorganic mercury in the same population rose from 0.33 to 0.39 u/L. 

Mercury is a neurontoxin, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Organic mercury, particularly methylmercury is more toxic than inorganic mercury. 

Adults, children and developing fetuses are at risk from ingestion or exposure to mercury.  Mothers with high levels of mercury may give birth to infants with severe disabilities.  Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxicity. 

Organic mercury like methylmercury mostly comes from fish tainted with the toxic chemical and other sources like vaccines.  Inorganic mercury mostly comes from coal-burning power plants and other sources like dental filings. 

Environment News Service reported on Nov 21, 2008 that the top 50 most-polluting coal-burning power plants in the United States released 20 tons of toxic mercury into the air in 2007. 

Chronic or high exposure to inorganic mercury may result in damage to the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system and the kidneys, according to the EPA. 

Symptoms of high exposures to inorganic mercury include skin rashes and dermatitis, mood swings, memory loss, mental disturbances and muscle weakness.