Head hair total mercury and methylmercury levels in some Ghanaian individuals for the estimation of their exposure to mercury: preliminary studies.

The extent of human exposure to mercury in some individuals in Ghana was evaluated by analysing samples of human head hair for total mercury and methylmercury. The average level of total mercury was 0.843 microg g(-1) (in range of 0.119-4.140, n = 123) and that of methylmercury was 0.787 microg g(-1) (in range of 0.208-1.847, n = 42). Mercury was present in the hair samples almost completely in the methylated form. The average percentage ratio of methylmercury to total mercury was 97.2% (in range of 88.5%-107.6%). The results of this study indicate low levels of exposure to methylmercury and does not pose a significant risk to the individuals and to a greater extent the general population.