Mercury and Methylmercury Levels in Marine Fish Species from Korean Retail Markets

Mercury and methylmercury concentrations were measured in 225 marine fish samples purchased from retail markets in 5 major Korean cities in 2005. The results showed that the concentrations of mercury and methylmercury ranged from 0.006-0.455 (mean=0.054±0.025) mg/kg and 0.004-0.120 (mean=0.021±0.008) mg/kg, respectively, in fish caught from the coastal waters of the Korean Peninsula. The concentrations in deep-sea fish including tuna ranged from 0.066-2.315 (mean=0.095±0.640) mg/kg for mercury and 0.027-0.897 (mean=0.281±0.182) mg/kg for methylmercury. The estimated weekly intakes (EWIs) of mercury and methylmercury reached 3.92 and 4.70% of the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWI), respectively. Consequently, the levels of mercury and methylmercury in marine fish from current retail markets do not pose any significant health risks for Koreans.