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. 2010 Jan-Feb;101(1):28-31.
doi: 10.1007/BF03405557.

Methylmercury blood guidance values for Canada

Melissa Legrand  1 , Mark Feeley, Constantine Tikhonov, Deborah Schoen, Angela Li-Muller
Affiliations

Methylmercury blood guidance values for Canada

Melissa Legrand et al. Can J Public Health. 2010 Jan-Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) from fish and marine mammal consumption continues to present a public health concern. To date, developmental neurotoxicity is the most sensitive health outcome, forming the basis for health-risk assessments and the derivation of biomonitoring guidance values. This article summarizes existing Health Canada MeHg blood guidance values for general population and expands them to include a harmonized provisional interim blood guidance value of 8 microg/L based on the existing provisional Tolerable Daily Intake for children, pregnant women and women of childbearing age. Associated public health actions, according to age, sex, and level of exposure are recommended.

L’exposition au méthylmercure (MeHg) par la consommation de poisson et de mammifères marins constitue toujours une préoccupation de santé publique. À ce jour, l’effet sanitaire le plus préoccupant de l’exposition à cette substance est la neurotoxicité développementale, laquelle sert de base aux évaluations du risque pour la santé et à la détermination des valeurs guides pour la biosurveillance. Le présent article offre une synthèse des valeurs guides actuelles de Santé Canada en ce qui concerne les taux de MeHg dans le sang pour la population générale et propose l’ajout d’une valeur guide harmonisée provisoire de 8 µg/L, fondée sur la dose journalière admissible provisoire s’appliquant aux enfants, aux femmes enceintes et aux femmes en âge de procréer. Des mesures de santé publique, adaptées selon l’âge, le sexe et le degré d’exposition, sont recommandées.

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References

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    1. Medical Services Branch. Methylmercury in Canada: Exposure of Indian and Inuit Residents to Methylmercury in the Canadian Environment. Ottawa: Department of National Health and Welfare; 1979.
    1. National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council. Toxicological Effects of Methylmercury. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2000. p. 344.
    1. World Health Organization WHO. Methylmercury. Environmental Health Criteria 101. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1990.

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