Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Environmental Topics
  • Laws & Regulations
  • Report a Violation
  • About EPA
Risk Assessment
Contact Us

Identifying susceptibility factors for methylmercury-induced developmental neurotoxicity

On this page:

  • Overview
Background and aim: Methylmercury (MeHg) exposures during pregnancy or childhood can cause developmental neurotoxicity (DNT), including cognitive, behavioral, and other effects. While many studies have reported on these effects, fewer have examined other factors that contribute to susceptibility to MeHg-induced DNT. The first objective of this project is to determine whether there are demographic, biological, psychosocial, societal, environmental, or other factors that may make developmentally exposed individuals more susceptible to these effects. A second objective is to develop a replicable approach for identifying susceptibility data in assessments of the health effects of chemicals. Methods: A systematic literature search for 2019-2021 aimed to identify all epidemiology studies that examined methylmercury exposure and DNT. Identified studies were then screened for susceptibility information at the title/abstract and full text levels by two reviewers. A search string was also developed and applied to title/abstracts to determine whether these studies could be identified without extensive screening. Susceptibility information was then summarized.  Results:  Data examining several potential susceptibility factors for MeHg were identified, including genetic polymorphisms, sex, maternal factors, , nutritional status, and multi-chemical exposures. Conclusion:  This project identifies potential susceptibility factors associated with MeHg and DNT. The methods applied to MeHg may be adapted and utilized for identifying and interpreting the literature on susceptibility factors for adverse health effects from other chemical exposures.  

Impact/Purpose

This presentation will provide information on efforts to identify information on factors that influence susceptibility to methyl mercury exposure. 

Citation

Khoshhal, B., L. Kopylev, A. Larsen, R. Nachman, O. Nweke, E. Radke-Farabaugh, AND D. Segal. Identifying susceptibility factors for methylmercury-induced developmental neurotoxicity. International Society for Environmental Epidemiology annual conference, Athens, GREECE, September 18 - 21, 2022.
  • Risk Assessment Home
  • About Risk Assessment
  • Risk Recent Additions
  • Human Health Risk Assessment
  • Ecological Risk Assessment
  • Risk Advanced Search
    • Risk Publications
  • Risk Assessment Guidance
  • Risk Tools and Databases
  • Superfund Risk Assessment
  • Where you live
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on May 02, 2023
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshots
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.