Lead, cadmium, mercury and selenium intake by Greenlanders from local marine food

The human intake of lead, cadmium, mercury and selenium from local Greenlandic marine food was estimated based on dietary studies and contaminant information. The average lead intake was calculated to be 15 mgrperson per week, which is very low, whereas the intake of cadmium and mercury was estimated to be very high, on average 1004 mgrperson per week for cadmium and 846 for mercury, thereby significantly exceeding limits established by FAOrWHO. The main cadmium and mercury source was seal liver. Selenium intake was also high with whale skin as the dominant source.