Mercury and selenium interactions in human blood in the Wanshan mercury mining area, China.
Human blood mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and other trace element levels were investigated in the Wanshan mercury mining area. Residents living near the mine waste heaps had significantly elevated blood Hg, Se and arsenic (As) levels, which indicates the impact from Hg mining and smelting activities. Rice samples showed high Se levels, as 72.6% of total Se intake comes from rice consumption. The means of the Se:total Hg (THg) and Se:methyl Hg (MeHg) molar ratios were 60.7±27.1 and 110±53.6 respectively. Blood Se:Hg molar ratios were negatively correlated with blood Hg levels. 80.2% of the study population had blood THg levels that exceeded the 5.8μg/L regulation level set by the USEPA, which indicated the risk of Hg exposure. On the other hand, the blood Se levels were within a safe-level range, and dietary Se intake protected local residents who suffered from Hg exposure.
['Li|Ping|P|', 'Li|Yufeng|Y|', 'Feng|Xinbin|X|']
D002681:China D004347:Drug Interactions D004784:Environmental Monitoring D004785:Environmental Pollutants D005506:Food Contamination D006801:Humans D008628:Mercury D008906:Mining D012275:Oryza D012643:Selenium
Mercury Selenium Interaction Blood Exposure route Risk assessment