Correlation of Mercury
with Selenium in Human Hair at a Typical Mercury- Polluted Area in China
he levels of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) and their correlation in human scalp hair
of 29 pairs of pregnant women and their newborns living at a high-Hg and low-Se area, the
Second Song-Hua-Jang River System, have been studied by instrumental neutron activation
analysis. The results indicate that the Hg level in infant hair samples are roughly close
to that in their mothers, whereas the Se level in infants is much higher. Furthermore, the
molar ratios of Se/Hg in newborns are also 40% higher than those in mothers. It
demonstrates that infants are able to absorb more selenium from their mothers' bodies to
protect against or alleviate the intoxication of Hg. This "autoprotective
mechanism" likely plays a critical role during fetal development. The possible
chemical species of Hg;and Se in hair is also discussed. Z Chai, W Feng, Q Qian, M Guan.
Biol Trace Elem Res 1998;63:95-104.
Copyright © 2003 Anamol Laboratories Ltd.
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