Addressing Uncertainties in Potential Human Dietary Exposure to Mercury in the Watershed of the South River, Virginia, USA.

Much has been published about the harmful effects to humans when they are exposed to mercury in environmental media including their diet. Numerous health advisories around the world, including for the South River, Virginia, USA, warn against consumption of mercury contaminated fish species. Fewer studies have focused on other dietary sources of mercury and how to advise humans potentially exposed by this route. In undertaking a human health risk assessment for the former DuPont facility in Waynesboro, Virginia and the nearby South River and surrounding watershed, the available published information on mercury exposure through dietary consumption of non-fish items, proved unsuitable for extrapolation purposes. In response, an evaluation of potential mercury exposure to residents that might consume livestock, poultry and wildlife raised or collected in the South River watershed was conducted to inform the risk assessment process. The newly collected data on mercury in these dietary items filled an important data gap, suggesting there was little concern about limiting dietary consumption for most items. These results were communicated to the public through print and electronic platforms, in the form of "fact sheets". Herein we describe the studies and actions taken to better explain the potential for human exposures to mercury in non-fish dietary items from a portion of the watershed of the South River, Virginia, USA.