Environmental Protection Agency

Trends in Blood Mercury Concentrations and Fish Consumption Among U.S. Women of Childbearing Age NHANES Environmental Protection Agency

The National Water Program Guidance for fiscal year (FY) 2012 describes how the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states, and tribal governments will work together to protect and improve the quality of the nation's water, including wetlands, and ensure safe drinking water (U. S. EPA, 2011). The Guidance describes the key actions needed to accomplish the public health and environmental goals proposed in the EPA 2011-2015 Strategic Plan (U. S. EPA, 2010). One goal is to protect public health by making finfish and shellfish safer to eat. Note that, unless otherwise specified, "fish" refers to both finfish and shellfish. One of the primary risks from eating fish is exposure to methylmercury (MeHg). In the U. S., exposure to MeHg in humans is largely through the consumption of fish (NRC, 2000). Mercury released into the environment is converted to MeHg in sediments and in the water column and bioaccumulates through aquatic food webs. This bioaccumulation leads to increased levels of MeHg in larger, older, predatory fish; concentrations in fish tissue may exceed a million fold the concentrations in water (NRC, 2000). MeHg exposure in utero is associated with adverse health effects, e.g., neurodevelopmental deficits such as IQ and motor function deficits in children (Mergler et al, 2007; NRC, 2000). In 2004 the FDA and EPA issued consumer advice. The advisory offers advice on amounts of commercial fish and fish from local water bodies that are safe to consume. This report investigates national trends over time in both blood mercury concentrations and fish consumption for women 16-49 years of age.