Risk map of human intake of methylmercury through fish consumption in Latin America and the Caribbeans

Abstract

Abstract Methylmercury is a high bioaccumulated pollutant persistent in the aquatic environment, that biomagnifies in the food web reaching concerning levels in predator fish. Mining is one of the most important economic activities of Latin America and the Caribbean, and a relevant global anthropogenic mercury emission. Studies have correlated high fish consumption with higher levels of MeHg in humans along with neurotoxic effects. Latin America occupies one of the top 3 regions with the highest fishery exploitation and aquaculture production, and simultaneously, it has been reported in several Latin American and the Caribbean country’s high levels of mercury in marine and freshwater fishes, and in human hair associated with fish consumption. Therefore, this review seeks to assess the risk of mercury exposure and consequently health hazard due to fish consumption in Latin America and the Caribbean. The data of mercury levels in fish and fish consumption rates was searched from all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. A large data set was created evidencing a concerning presence of methylmercury in fish that are widely consumed. The 6.1% of the total fish species studied were found to have concentrations of MeHg ≥ 1.5 µg g− 1 dw, independently of the water habitat these were mainly carnivore species, which is recommended to not consume. Furthermore, high risk values (HQ ≥ 1) were estimated in Peru and Venezuela, and even higher-risk values (HQ ≥ 10) were estimated in some fish species inhabiting watersheds in Trinidad. The recommendation is to lower the consumption of this kind of fish species or to avoid mercury pollution.