Mercury Contamination in Fish Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

mercury Contamination in Fish - investigate Paper recitationThe paper is based on two studies carried out in Bangladesh and the U.S. In the first study, Rees et al. (2007) aimed at elucidating how toenail mercury is related to dietary slant ingestion in New Hampshire. In the second study (Bangladesh study), Shamshad, Shahidur, and Tasrena, (2009) focused on determining the level of trace elements (including mercury) in fish cater and shrimp sampled from aquaculture ponds.Mercury is an established heavy metal, environmental pollutant with deleterious health effects in human beings (Eisler, 2006). Mercury toxins lead to neurological impairment in humans (National Research Council, 1978). Mercury in contaminated fish food consumed by pregnant women may affect the unborn babys brain and nervous system. Children who were touch on by mercury while in the womb have poor cognitive thinking and memory and reduced concentration (Health Effects, 2012). Studies have proved that adults, ch ildren and exploitation fetuses are in danger of mercury intoxication (National Research Council, 1978). Schmitt, Stricker and Brumbaugh (2011, p. 1) argue that methyl mercury concentrations in some U.S species of fish (Micropterus dolomieu and Hypentelium nigricans) are significantly high to represent a threat to human health and wildlife. The U.S has a high risk of suffering from mercury intoxication consumed from fish compared to Bangladesh, in foulness of Bangladesh having more fish than the U.S. Studies on mercury intoxication are essential because they enable stake holders to devise preventative measures. Thus, this paper examines the effect of mercury toxins in fish in Bangladesh and the U.S. The graph below is an example showing comparing levels of mercury in blood lead and the risk for autism in children. The graph indicates a significant correlation between the two variables. Figure 1 Graph indicating the distribution of Hg levels in charge children, comparing four grou ps regressive autism, autism of too soon onset, general population controls and developmentally delayed children. Source http//cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.highlight/abstract/1773/report/F Materials and Methods The Bangladesh study assessed the level of trace elements content in fish feed and shrimp sampled from aquaculture ponds in Bangladesh by the use of Flame Atomic ducking Spectrometer (FAAS), Cold Vapor Absorption Spectrometer (CV-AAS), and Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (HG-AAS). The study was based on the theoretical assumption that since tannery and poultry waste are used as fish feed in Bangladesh, there is an accumulation of toxic contaminants in cultured fish posing food safety risk. Toxic metals including mercury are used in the manufacture of tanneries, color production, textile dying and paper and pulp mills. Two samples of Shrimp and twelve samples of the feed were collected from different aquaculture sites in Bangl adesh. The sample was washed by de-ionized weewee system and then air-dried. They were then analyzed using FAAS, CV-AAS and HG-AAS (Shamshad, Shahidur, & Tasrena, 2009). The American study was conducted as follows method one participants observed a 3 day diary of water and seafood consumption which facilitated the calculation of the average consumption of finfish and shell fish on a weekly basis. Method two the average weekly consumption of fish (shell fish, tuna and dark fish) was estimated using semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Method three the weekly consumpti