1. Human biomonitoring in support of the Minamata Convention : a case of phasing out dental amalgamVanja Usenik, Adna Alilović Osolin, Janja Snoj Tratnik, Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik, Darja Mazej, David Kocman, Davor Kontić, Milena Horvat, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This study analysed urinary mercury (U-Hg) concentrations in 1412 Slovenian children across four human biomonitoring campaigns conducted between 2007 and 2024. Median U-Hg levels declined from 0.76 ng mL−1 (0.72 µg g−1 creatinine) in the 2007 PHIME cohort to 0.22 ng mL−1 (0.21 µg g−1 creatinine) in the 2018–2024 SLO-HBM-II cohort, paralleling a decrease in the prevalence (from 65 to 3%) and the average number of dental amalgam fillings in children. Multilevel mixed-effects models showed a consistent temporal decline in U-Hg that persisted after adjustment for demographic and environmental covariates. In contrast, the inclusion of the amalgam number substantially attenuated the time trend, indicating that reduced amalgam use likely contributed to the observed decrease. As amalgam prevalence fell, other sources of exposure, such as fish consumption, became relatively more prominent predictors of U-Hg, while children living in historically Hg-contaminated areas showed persistently higher levels. Although Slovenia had already phased down dental amalgam in children before ratifying the Minamata Convention, these long-term biomonitoring data illustrate how changes in exposure sources are reflected in internal Hg levels. The study demonstrates the value of repeated national HBM programmes for identifying dominant exposure pathways, investigating their evolution over time, and providing evidence relevant to effectiveness-evaluation frameworks under Article 22 of the Minamata Convention.
Ključne besede: concentrations in blood
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 10.02.2026; Ogledov: 362; Prenosov: 55
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2. Human hair certified reference material for total mercury, methylmercury, and trace element analysesAkane Yamakawa, Kimiyo Nagano, Kaoru Onishi, Miyuki Ukachi, Milena Horvat, Adna Alilović Osolin, Polona Klemenčič, Ermira Begu, Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik, Keisuke Uchida, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) developed the NIES CRM No. 13-a, a new certified reference material for human hair, using scalp hair from Asian females. This CRM represents a significant advancement in support of global mercury exposure assessments and offers unparalleled reliability and scope compared with existing materials. We aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the preparation, certification, and application of NIES CRM No. 13-a. In total, 806 bottles (3 g each) were produced, with thorough homogenization ensured through sieving and blending. Certified values for total mercury (1.06 ± 0.07 mg/kg), methylmercury (0.858 ± 0.075 mg/kg), and key trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, selenium, and zinc) were determined through extensive collaborative analyses involving 20 laboratories. Additional reference values were provided for calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, antimony, barium, copper, iron, and manganese. Rigorous stability and homogeneity assessments demonstrated the stability of the CRM for over 10 years and consistency across sample units, even for challenging elements such as selenium. The CRM also includes information values of stable mercury isotope ratios, reflecting their growing importance as exposure tracers. This enhancement in accuracy and traceability facilitates accurate mercury and trace element assessments in human hair, enabling improved biomonitoring of mercury exposure, dietary studies, toxicological evaluations, human health risk evaluations, and regulatory compliance.
Ključne besede: metilirano živo srebro, methylmercury, certified reference material
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.09.2025; Ogledov: 479; Prenosov: 191
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