Health implications for Faroe Islanders of heavy metals and PCBs from pilot whales

摘要: In the Faroe Islands marine food constitutes a considerable part of diet. addition to fish, both meat and blubber from pilot whales are included in Muscle tissue caught contains an average mercury concentration 3.3 micrograms/g (16 nmol/g), about half which is methylmercury. some years evenly distributed annual catch would make dietary intake close excess Provisional Temporary Weekly Intake 0.3 mg recommended by WHO. one out eight consecutive births, maternal hair exceeded limit 10 where risk neurobehavioral dysfunction child may occur; maximum was 39.1 micrograms/g. Mercury concentrations umbilical cord blood showed similar distribution with 351 micrograms/l. The large variation exposure associated differences frequency whale dinners. PCB very high, i.e. 30 With estimated daily consumption 7 g blubber, could therefore exceed 200 micrograms, Acceptable Daily Intake. Scandinavia, 15-20 micrograms. To obtain improved scientific basis for public health action, two major prospective studies have been initiated. A birth cohort 1000 children has examined at approximately age dysfunctions prenatal PCB. Preliminary analyses data show that several tests parameters. emphasis on exposures PCB, another generated during 1994-95, this will be followed closely next years.