Selenium and Mercury Interactions with Emphasis on Fish Tissue

摘要

This review addresses the effects of mercury (Hg) in fish as it relates to the health ofthe fish themselves as well as potential risks of toxicity in wildlife and humans thatconsume fish. In particular, it addresses selenium (Se) as a bioindicator of susceptibil-ity to harmful effects of Hg exposures and evaluates how Se moderates the toxic effectsof Hg in a variety of test animals, emphasizing the importance of these potential effectsin fish. A major conclusion of this review is that Hg toxicity risks to animal life cannotbe accurately assessed without considering the moderating effects of Se. Therefore,Se: Hg molar ratios and their mathematical inverse are important factors that need tobe considered when assessing risks from Hg exposures because exposures are relateddirectly to toxicity outcome. In addition, actual measurement of both beneficial nutrients(e.g., Se, omega-3 fatty acids) and contaminants (e.g., Hg, polychlorinated biphenyls[PCBJ) in fish tissue, rather than gross associations between the amounts of fish tissueconsumed and changes in child IQ, motor skills, and verbal skill scores, has beenrecommended by human health effects researchers. This integrated approach willimprove accuracy and reliability of environmental risk assessments for fish and fishconsumers.