Factors influencing the total mercury and methyl mercury in the hair of the fishermen of Kuwait

“Capsule”: Methyl mercury concentrations in human hair showed a positive correlation with fish consumed. Total and methyl mercury (MeHg) levels in the hair of fishermen are described anticipating that they represent the critical group for dietary exposure. One-hundred human hair samples were collected from fishermen (Egyptians: age range 25–60), living in Doha Fishing Village, Kuwait. Thirty-five additional samples were taken from a control group working in a local construction company (age range 26–35). Overall mean concentrations in the hair of the population of fishermen are 4.181±3.220 and 4.025±3.130 μg g −1 for total and MeHg, respectively. The equivalent values for the control are 2.617±1.404 and 2.556±1.391 μg g −1 for total and MeHg, respectively. MeHg concentrations are strongly correlated to those of total Hg ( r=0.999, p