Mercury Biomonitoring Project

How do people get exposed to mercury?

Most people are exposed to mercury through eating seafood, especially fish. Most exposure occurs through consumption of larger, predatory fish and marine mammals.

Although the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Fish Monitoring Program has shown that Alaska has some of the cleanest fish in the world, some fish species have mercury levels of potential health concern if eaten in large quantities by pregnant or breastfeeding women or young children.

In response, the Alaska Division of Public Health has developed fish consumption guidelines for women of childbearing age and young children. Read all about Alaska specific fish consumption guidelines.

Testing for mercury

A hair mercury test is quick and simple, and only takes a few minutes to complete. It consists of cutting a small section of hair from the back of the head near the scalp, placing the hair sample in a labeled zip-lock bag, then sending it to the public health lab in a pre-addressed stamped envelope. Participants will receive the results by mail usually within one month of the lab receiving the sample. Our office performs follow-up activities to investigate hair mercury levels over 5 parts per million (ppm), and assists in devising strategies to reduce further exposure.

Please contact the Environmental Public Health Program by phone (907-269-8000) or by e-mail (eph@alaska.gov) if you have any questions about the program or would like to order hair collection kits.