Comparison of four human studies of perinatal exposure to methylmercury for use in risk assessment

Newer data from human epidemiologic studies of methylmercury (MeHg) poisoning in which perinatal exposure occurred are available from four distinct populations. The results of an Iraqi grain-consuming population are compared to results from studies performed in fish-consuming groups in the Faroe Islands, the Seychelles Islands and in Peruvian fishing villages. A comparison of the results indicate that the Iraqi population does not represent a sensitive subpopulation within a perinatal group, but rather the relative lower threshold identified from this study was the result of confounders. Use of this benchmark dose for regulatory purposes may place a severe limitations upon fish consumption in the United States that is not fully supported by the scientific data.