Abstract

Exposure to mercury (Hg), especially methylmercury (MeHg), through the consumption of seafood is a major public health concern. St. Vincent & the Grenadines (Eastern Caribbean) supports two related whaling operations, which produce food from cetaceans for human consumption. Recent data suggest that Hg concentrations in cetacean tissue samples exceed recommended consumption limits. Our objective was to determine the role of cetacean-based food products in the diet of the Vincentian population as a proxy for exposure to MeHg using interview surveys (n = 921). Based upon provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) guidelines for MeHg from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), we determined safe weekly consumption amounts for specific cetacean-based food products, based upon reported consumption patterns. We found cetacean-based food products to be included in the diet of 77.4% of respondents. Respondents’ gender and geographical home region are the most important factors influencing cetacean consumption. Frequency and amount of consumption vary, but generally exceed calculated safe weekly limits. The consumption of cetacean-based food products may represent a public health risk, as a large portion of the population may be exposed to high MeHg concentrations.

摘要

通过食用海鲜接触汞（Hg），尤其是甲基汞（MeHg）是一个主要的公共卫生问题。圣文森特和格林纳丁斯（东加勒比海）支持两项相关的捕鲸活动，这些活动从鲸类生产供人类食用的食物。最新数据表明，鲸类组织样品中的汞浓度超过了建议的食用限量。我们的目标是使用访谈调查（n = 921）来确定鲸蜡类食品在文森特人饮食中的作用，以作为甲基汞暴露的替代指标。根据粮食及农业组织（FAO）和世界卫生组织（WHO）的MeHg临时耐受每周摄入量（PTWI）指南，我们确定了特定的鲸蜡类食品的每周安全摄入量，根据报告的消费模式。我们发现77.4％的受访者饮食中包含鲸蜡类食品。受访者的性别和居住地区是影响鲸类消费的最重要因素。消费的频率和数量各不相同，但通常超过每周计算的安全限值。食用鲸蜡类食品可能构成公共健康风险，因为很大一部分人口可能暴露于高浓度的甲基汞。