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Methylmercury Exposure and Health Effects from Rice and Fish Consumption: A Review

Author

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  • Ping Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China)

  • Xinbin Feng

    (State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China)

  • Guangle Qiu

    (State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China)

Abstract

Methylmercury (MeHg) is highly toxic, and its principal target tissue in humans is the nervous system, which has made MeHg intoxication a public health concern for many decades. The general population is primarily exposed to MeHg through consumption of contaminated fish and marine mammals, but recent studies have reported high levels of MeHg in rice and confirmed that in China the main human exposure to MeHg is related to frequent rice consumption in mercury (Hg) polluted areas. This article reviews the progress in the research on MeHg accumulation in rice, human exposure and health effects, and nutrient and co-contaminant interactions. Compared with fish, rice is of poor nutritional quality and lacks specific micronutrients identified as having health benefits (e.g., n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, selenium, essential amino acids). The effects of these nutrients on the toxicity of MeHg should be better addressed in future epidemiologic and clinical studies. More emphasis should be given to assessing the health effects of low level MeHg exposure in the long term, with appropriate recommendations, as needed, to reduce MeHg exposure in the rice-eating population.

Suggested Citation

  • Ping Li & Xinbin Feng & Guangle Qiu, 2010. "Methylmercury Exposure and Health Effects from Rice and Fish Consumption: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:6:p:2666-2691:d:8731
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenny S. Grump & Tord Kjellström & Annette M. Shipp & Abraham Silvers & Alistair Stewart, 1998. "Influence of Prenatal Mercury Exposure Upon Scholastic and Psychologica Test Performance: Benchmark Analysis of a New Zealand Cohort," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(6), pages 701-713, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tara K. B. Johnson & Catherine E. LePrevost & Thomas J. Kwak & W. Gregory Cope, 2018. "Selenium, Mercury, and Their Molar Ratio in Sportfish from Drinking Water Reservoirs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Seongil Jo & Hae Dong Woo & Ho-Jang Kwon & Se-Young Oh & Jung-Duck Park & Young-Seoub Hong & Heesoo Pyo & Kyung Su Park & Mina Ha & Ho Kim & Seok-Joon Sohn & Yu-Mi Kim & Ji-Ae Lim & Sang-Ah Lee & Sang, 2015. "Estimation of the Biological Half-Life of Methylmercury Using a Population Toxicokinetic Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Yong-Hong Chen & En-Qin Xia & Xiang-Rong Xu & Wen-Hua Ling & Sha Li & Shan Wu & Gui-Fang Deng & Zhi-Fei Zou & Jing Zhou & Hua-Bin Li, 2012. "Evaluation of Acrylamide in Food from China by a LC/MS/MS Method," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-9, November.
    4. Yong-Hong Chen & En-Qin Xia & Xiang-Rong Xu & Sha Li & Wen-Hua Ling & Shan Wu & Gui-Fang Deng & Zhi-Fei Zou & Jing Zhou & Hua-Bin Li, 2012. "Evaluation of Benzo[a]pyrene in Food from China by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Fluorescence Detection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-11, November.

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