Dataset Information

Mercury Exposure and Toxicological Consequences in Fish and Fish-Eating Wildlife from Anthropogenic Activity in Latin America.

ABSTRACT: Despite the risk of significant adverse toxicological effects of Hg to humans and wildlife, Hg use in anthropogenic activities, and artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in particular, is widespread throughout Latin America. However, there are few research and monitoring studies of Hg toxicity in fish and fish-eating wildlife in Latin America compared to North America. In the present paper, we reviewed the literature from published articles and reports and summarized and assessed data on Hg in fish from 10?391 individuals and 192 species sampled across Latin America. We compared fish Hg levels with toxicity reference values (TRVs) for fish and dietary TRVs for fish-eating wildlife. We determined that fish, piscivorous birds, and other wildlife are at risk of Hg toxicity. We observed a large disparity in data quantity between North and Latin America, and identified regions requiring further investigation. In particular, future biomonitoring and research should focus on exposure of wildlife to Hg in Peru, Chile, Uruguay, the eastern and northern regions of Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia. We also discuss Hg risk assessment methodological issues and recommend that future evaluations of Hg risk to wildlife must collect key physiological variables, including age, body size, and ideally Hg-to-Se molar ratios. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:13-26. © 2020 Environment and Climate Change Canada. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

SUBMITTER: Canham R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7821190 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Mercury Exposure and Toxicological Consequences in Fish and Fish-Eating Wildlife from Anthropogenic Activity in Latin America.

Canham Rachel R González-Prieto Ana M AM Elliott John E JE

Integrated environmental assessment and management 20200919 1

Despite the risk of significant adverse toxicological effects of Hg to humans and wildlife, Hg use in anthropogenic activities, and artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in particular, is widespread throughout Latin America. However, there are few research and monitoring studies of Hg toxicity in fish and fish-eating wildlife in Latin America compared to North America. In the present paper, we reviewed the literature from published articles and reports and summarized and assessed data on Hg i ...[more]

PMID: 32662936

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Project description:Methylmercury contamination of the environment is an important issue globally, and birds are useful bioindicators for mercury monitoring programs. The available data on mercury contamination of birds in western North America were synthesized. Original data from multiple databases were obtained and a literature review was conducted to obtain additional mercury concentrations. In total, 29219 original bird mercury concentrations from 225 species were compiled, and an additional 1712 mean mercury concentrations, representing 19998 individuals and 176 species, from 200 publications were obtained. To make mercury data comparable across bird tissues, published equations of tissue mercury correlations were used to convert all mercury concentrations into blood-equivalent mercury concentrations. Blood-equivalent mercury concentrations differed among species, foraging guilds, habitat types, locations, and ecoregions. Piscivores and carnivores exhibited the greatest mercury concentrations, whereas herbivores and granivores exhibited the lowest mercury concentrations. Bird mercury concentrations were greatest in ocean and salt marsh habitats and lowest in terrestrial habitats. Bird mercury concentrations were above toxicity benchmarks in many areas throughout western North America, and multiple hotspots were identified. Additionally, published toxicity benchmarks established in multiple tissues were summarized and translated into a common blood-equivalent mercury concentration. Overall, 66% of birds sampled in western North American exceeded a blood-equivalent mercury concentration of 0.2 μg/g wet weight (ww; above background levels), which is the lowest-observed effect level, 28% exceeded 1.0 μg/g ww (moderate risk), 8% exceeded 3.0 μg/g ww (high risk), and 4% exceeded 4.0 μg/g ww (severe risk). Mercury monitoring programs should sample bird tissues, such as adult blood and eggs, that are most-easily translated into tissues with well-developed toxicity benchmarks and that are directly relevant to bird reproduction. Results indicate that mercury contamination of birds is prevalent in many areas throughout western North America, and large-scale ecological attributes are important factors influencing bird mercury concentrations.

Project description:BackgroundSecond-hand smoke exposure is prevalent amongst adolescents, despite of being a preventable risk factor associated with unfavourable outcomes. The distribution of this risk factor varies by underlying determinants and public health officers need contemporary evidence to update policies. Using the most recent data available from adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), we described the prevalence of second-hand smoking.MethodsPooled analysis of Global School-based Student Health (GSHS) surveys conducted from 2010 to 2018 was conducted. Two indicators were analysed based on information from the 7 days prior to the survey: a) any exposure to second-hand smoking (0 vs ≥1 days of exposure); and b) daily exposure (<7 vs 7 days). Prevalence estimates were carried out accounting for the complex survey design, and reported overall, by country, by sex, and by subregion.FindingsGSHS surveys were administered in 18 countries, yielding a total of 95,805 subjects. Pooled age-standardised prevalence of second-hand smoking was 60.9% (95% CI: 59.9%-62.0%) with no substantial differences between boys and girls. The age-standardised prevalence of any second-hand smoking varied from 40.2% in Anguilla to 68.2% in Jamaica, and the highest prevalence was in the Southern Latin America subregion (65.9%). Pooled age-standardised prevalence of daily second-hand smoking was 15.1% (95% CI: 14.2%-16.1%), and was higher in girls than boys (16.5% vs 13.7%; p < 0.001). The age-standardised prevalence of daily second-hand smoking ranged between 4.8% in Peru to 28.7% in Jamaica, and the highest age-standardised prevalence was in Southern Latin America (19.7%).InterpretationThe prevalence of any second-hand smoking is high among adolescents in LAC, though estimates changed substantially by country. While policies and interventions to reduce/stop smoking are implemented, attention should also be paid to avoid second-hand smoke exposure.FundingWellcome Trust International Training Fellowship (214185/Z/18/Z).

Dataset Information

Mercury Exposure and Toxicological Consequences in Fish and Fish-Eating Wildlife from Anthropogenic Activity in Latin America.

Publications

Mercury Exposure and Toxicological Consequences in Fish and Fish-Eating Wildlife from Anthropogenic Activity in Latin America.

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