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Cited by 176Mercury impact and mitigation studiesHeavy Metal Exposure and ToxicityIndigenous Health and Education

A preliminary study of mercury exposure and blood pressure in the Brazilian Amazon

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Fillion, Myriam, Mergler, Donna, Passos, Carlos José Sousa, Larribe, Fabrice, Lemire, Mélanie, Guimarães, Jean Rémy Davée·2006·Environmental Health
DOI 10.1186/1476-069x-5-29PMC PMC1617089
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Abstract

Background: Fish is considered protective for coronary heart disease (CHD), but mercury (Hg) intake from fish may counterbalance beneficial effects. Although neurotoxic effects of methylmercury (MeHg) are well established, cardiovascular effects are still debated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate blood pressure in relation to Hg exposure and fish consumption among a non-indigenous fish-eating population in the Brazilian Amazon. Methods: The study was conducted among 251 persons from six communities along the Tapajós River, a major tributary of the Amazon. Data was obtained for socio-demographic information, fish consumption, height and weight to determine body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and Hg concentration in hair samples. Results: Results showed that overall, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, were relatively low (mean: 113.9 mmHg ± 14.6 and 73.7 mmHg ± 11.0). Blood pressure was significantly associated with hair total Hg (H-Hg), age, BMI and gender. No association was observed between fish consumption and blood pressure, although there were significant inter-community differences. Logistic regression analyses showed that the Odds Ratio (OR) for elevated systolic blood pressure (≥ 130 mmHg) with H-Hg ≥ 10 μg/g was 2.91 [1.26–7.28], taking into account age, BMI, smoking, gender and community. Conclusion: The findings of this preliminary study add further support for Hg cardiovascular toxicity.

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  • Ingested methylmercury is rapidly absorbed by the human gastrointestinal tract, principally affecting the central nervous and cardiovascular systems.

    “Ingested methylmercury is rapidly absorbed by the human gastrointestinal tract, principally affecting the central nervous and cardiovascular systems [28,29,30].”

    From Health Risk Assessment of Mercury Exposure from Fish Consumption in Munduruku Indigenous Communities in the Brazilian Amazon (2021) · cites this paper as [30]

    The Background (page unavailable) identifies fish as a major route of human methylmercury exposure, and the Discussion reports associations between methylmercury exposure and cardiovascular function. Our copy does not say that ingested methylmercury is rapidly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. It also describes cardiovascular findings as inconsistent, so it does not establish the claim that methylmercury principally affects the cardiovascular system. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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  • Fillion et al. showed an odds ratio equal to 2.91 (CI 95% 1.26-7.28) for elevated systolic blood pressure among individuals with hair Hg levels above 10 μg/g.

    “Fillion et al. [30] investigated riverine communities in the Amazon and showed an odds ratio equal to 2.91 (CI 95% 1.26–7.28) for elevated systolic blood pressure among individuals with hair Hg levels above 10 µg/g.”

    From Health Risk Assessment of Mercury Exposure from Fish Consumption in Munduruku Indigenous Communities in the Brazilian Amazon (2021) · cites this paper as Fillion et al. [30]

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Cited by

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Authors
Fillion, M., Mergler, D., Passos, C. J. S., Larribe, F., Lemire, M., & Guimarães, J. R. D.
Affiliations
Université du Québec à Montréal (CA)
Corresponding author
Fillion, Myriam
ORCID
Venue
Environmental Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2006-10-10
Volume
5
Issue
1
Pages
29-29
ISSN
1476-069X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/1476-069x-5-29
PMC
PMC1617089
OpenAlex
W1785699085
Cited by
176
References
2
Citations by year
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FWCI
5.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Environmental Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Mercury impact and mitigation studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Indigenous Health and Education
Keywords
mercury exposure, blood pressure, methylmercury, fish consumption, cardiotoxicity, hair mercury, Tapajós River, Brazilian Amazon, hypertension, body mass index, age and sex effects
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Blood Pressure, Brazil, Diet, Environmental Exposure, Female, Fishes, Food Contamination, Humans, Hypertension, Male, Mercury, Middle Aged

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