Hair Mineral Test - Research

Hair mercury levels and food consumption

By Raymond Chung

The Baptist University of Hong Kong conducted a research on the relationship between hair mercury levels and food consumption in residents from the Pearl River Delta of South China. 

Hair samples from 91 urban, town and fishing village residents, 37 species of fish, cereal, vegetables, and meat samples were collected.

This research showed that both fish and cereal consumption were the two main routes of mercury exposure, smoking was also an important source for daily exposure to mercury.

In fact, Australia and U.S. governmental agency has recommended fish intake should be limited to 2-3 times per week in order to balance the risk-health benefit issue, that means the body could absorb omega 3 fish oil without excessive mercury intake.

Reference: 
1. Shao D, , Kang Y, et al.  Hair mercury levels and food consumption in residents from the Pearl River Delta: South China.  Food Chem. 2013 Jan 15;136(2):682-8. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.08.059. Epub 2012 Sep 2. 
2.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-FDA Advice about Eating Fish and Shellfish.
3. FSANZ updates advice on mercury in fish (Australia only)