What is it about?
Nile tilapia is a frequently consumed fish in the Migori gold mining belt in Kenya. We have shown for the first time that water and sediment from fish farms in the region are contaminated with total mercury. We also report that the Nile tilapia reared in the fish farms is contaminated with total mercury and that frequent fish eaters, pregnant women, and developing children are most at risk of contamination.
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Why is it important?
Understanding mercury levels in gold mining areas where locals consume fish is important in evaluating the risk to the population. Our findings show that there is a need for fish consumption advisories in the Migori gold mining belt.
Perspectives
In my opinion, this work is important in bringing to light the need for fish consumption advisories in the region.
Mitchel Okumu
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Levels of mercury in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), water, and sediment in the Migori gold mining belt, Kenya, and the potential ramifications to human health, F1000Research, July 2019, Faculty of 1000, Ltd.,
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19906.1.
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