Factors affecting the mercury concentration in the hair of young residents of the Vologda region, Russia

Abstract The main aim of this study was to assess the level of mercury accumulation in the hair of students studying in the Vologda Region, Russia. Particular attention is devoted to clarifying the relationship between the metal concentration in the hair and the amount of fish in the diet. It was found that the mercury content in the hair of Vologda Region residents aged 17–21 is in the range from less than 0.002 mg/kg to 1.69 mg/kg, the median of the indicator for the entire sample is 0.14 mg/kg. The median value of mercury content in the hair of males (0.12 mg/kg) is lower than in the hair of females (0.16 mg/kg). The lowest metal concentrations were observed in individuals living in the city of Cherepovets and the highest metal concentration among the entire sample and in females in the western areas, and males in the eastern areas of the Vologda Region. The concentration of metal in the hair of the urban population is lower than in subjects living in rural areas. A higher metal content in the hair was recorded in individuals whose diet usually contains fish twice a month.