THE DETERMINATION OF METHYL MERCURY SPECIES IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND IN FOOD

Objective

Two tuna fish reference materials containing methyl mercury were prepared. Homogeneity and stability studies and analytical work were performed for the certification of the contents of total and methyl mercury. The methods used to certify the mass fractions of total mercury (2.85 ug/g in CRM 463 and 5.24 ug/g in CRM 464, on a mass of dry matter basis) and methyl mercury (3.04 ug/g in CRM 463 and 5.50 ug/g in CRM 464, as MeHg cations on a dry mass basis) were established.
Mercury occurs in the environment in various forms e.g. elementary mercury (Hg), inorganic mercury and methyl mercury (MeHg). Elementary mercury is mainly present in the air; inorganic mercury in water; and methyl mercury occurs predominantly in the contaminated food chain (e.g. shell-fish). Methyl mercury compounds are of paramount importance: their toxicity and the risk of humain exposure are high. Because of its toxicity and abundance in the food chain, the limits of exposure to MeHg are at least 5 times less than the exposure to other Hg-compounds. The objective of the project is to develop through collaborative work of a number of experienced laboratories a methodology for accurate determination of MeHg in food. It is envisaged that in a second phase reference materials will be prepared e.g. fish and shell-fish.

STATUS

Third intercomparison concluded in 1991. Certification campaign started in 1992 [mercury and methyl-mercury in tuna fish: candidate CRMs 463 (low content) and 464 (high content)].

Programme(s)

• FP2-BCR 4 - Research and development programme (EEC) in the field of applied metrology and chemical analysis (Community Bureau of Reference - BCR), 1988-1992

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

dK TEKNIK

Address

15,Gladsaxe Moellevej
2860 Soeborg
Denmark

Participants (13)

Bundesforschungsanstalt für Fischerei

Germany

Address

Wüstland 2
22589 Hamburg

De Montfort University

United Kingdom

Address

The Gateway
LE1 9BH Leicester

Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)

France

Address

Station De Nantes Rue De L'ile D'yeu
44037 Nantes

M STOEPPLER

Germany

Address

Mariengartenstraße 1A
52428 Jülich

National Food Agency

Denmark

Address

19,Morkhoj Bygade
2860 Soeborg

National food administration

Sweden

Address

SE 75126 Uppsala

Presidio Multizonale di Prevenzione

Italy

Address

Campo Della Lana 601
30125 Venezia

Presidio Multizonale di Prevenzione

Italy

Address

Campo Della Lana 601
30125 Venezia

Sheffield Hallam University

United Kingdom

Address

Pond Street
S1 1WB Sheffield

Swedish Environmental Research Institute

Sweden

Address

43,Hälsingegatan
100 31 Stockholm

Universidad de Santiago de Compostela

Spain

Address

15706 Santiago De Compostela

Università degli Studi di Genova

Italy

Address

Via Brigata Salerno Ponte
16147 Genova

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Belgium

Address

2,Pleinlaan
1050 Brussels