Hair Mercury Levels of Inhabitants on Satsunan Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture

Abstract

Scalp hair samples were collected by mails from 177 married couples who were living on Satsunan Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture. The hair was analysed for total mercury and the difference in its mercury concentration between husband and wife was investigated in relation to the frequency of fish intake, drinking habits and hair treatment. Results were as follows: 1) Husbands had significantly higher hair levels of mercury than wives, the average values being 6.42 ± 3.79ppm for husbands and 3.13 ± 2.22ppm for wives. However, a correlation coefficient obtained for hair mercury concentration between husbands and wives was statistically significant. 2) Hair levels of mercury increased steadily with increase in the frequency of dietary fish intake for both husbands and wives. Husbands had also higher hair levels of mercury than wives, notwithstanding that no difference in the distribution of dietary fish intake was observed between the sexes. 3) Likes and dislikes in fish eating, drinking habits and shampoo treatment did not significantly relate to the hair mercury concentrations for both sexes. 4) In wives, a declining gradient in hair mercury concentration was found with increased frequency of permanent wave. However, the low levels of mercury concentration in women's hair than men's hair were not fully explained by this factor.