Research on the Relationship between Hair Mercury and the Frequency of Fish-eating in Pregnant Women in Wujiang City

Abstract：Objective:By determinating mercury content in hair and analysising relevance between hair mercury and the frequency of fish-eating during pregnancy,to make suggestions for suitable fish intake.Method:Conducting fish-eating history investigation(fish-eating species and weekly frequency) of the hospitalized pregnant women that lived locally during the entire pregnancy and had no major disease history and history of occupation of mercury,while determinating mercury content in hair by collecting the hair of pregnant women at the same time.Result:The average content of mercury in hair of the 303 cases was (494.28±1.94)ng/g.Amone the 303 cases,the numbers of weekly fish-eating during pregnancy were 1-2 times(142 cases), 3-4 times(145 cases),5 and above times(16 cases).The corresponding average values of mercury in hair were (319.82±1.70)ng/g,(719.62±1.67)ng/g and (800.57±1.57)ng/g.Thus,the cases of mercury in hair that exceeded the RfD were positively correlation to the frequency of fish-eating during pregnancy(P<0.01).Conclusion:Fish-eating is the main source of mercury exposure in the general population.Because Methyl mercury affected the development of nervous system of fetus,for the special sensitive pregnant women,that are suggested to eat fiah less than 2 times per week and can add the necessary nutrients through diet by more diverse ways.