Mercury poisoning in a fisherman working on a pelagic fishing vessel due to excessive tuna consumption.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Single case report
PubMed 29093364 · doi:10.1539/joh.16-0274-CS
What was done
Report of a 48-year-old male pelagic fisherman who developed bilateral leg paresthesia and pain after consuming tuna for two or more meals daily over a two-year period at sea. Blood mercury levels (BML) were tested two and four months after stopping tuna consumption, and on-board levels were estimated using pharmacokinetic half-life calculations.
What was found
Two months after stopping tuna intake, the patient had an elevated BML of 21.79 μg/L (estimated at 38.70–53.20 μg/L while on board). Four months post-cessation, BML declined to 14.18 μg/L, accompanied by near-complete resolution of neurological symptoms.
Why it matters
Highlights the risk of severe dietary mercury neurotoxicity in maritime workers who rely heavily on apex predatory fish for daily subsistence, emphasizing the need for dietary guidelines and awareness aboard long-haul fishing vessels.
Limits
Single case report (n=1). Peak blood mercury levels while symptomatic at sea were estimated through modeling rather than measured directly, and precise daily intake quantities of tuna were not recorded.
Cited by
- supports High consumption of tuna can lead to elevated levels of mercury in the blood.