Mercury toxicity through fish consumption in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Abstract

In Suriname, South America, mercury is mostly used for small scale gold mining. This activity has negative consequences, ultimately for human health. The objectives of this study, were to assess which fishes are most commonly consumed in Suriname’s capital Paramaribo and surroundings and to what extent dietary habits expose consumers to mercury. The most commonly sold species of frozen fish were identified in supermarkets and those of fresh fish at marketplaces, while consumer surveys revealed eating habits. Mercury analysesoffish species Anjoemara (Hoplias aimara), Koebi (Plagioscion surinamensis) and Piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus) showed  concentrations higher than 0.5 µg g^-1. It can be concluded that fish consumers are exceedingly exposed to methylmercury. Methylmercury intake per kilogram body weight per day for consumers of Anjoemara and Piranha exceeded thereference dose of 0,1 µg methylmercury kg bw^-1day^-1numerically and consumers of Koebi exceeded significantly (P<0.05); we raise serious health concerns.