Table 1 Hair-Hg to toenail-Hg ratios determined from regression models and mean values obtained from literature

Based on arithmetic means

Based on regression model

Based on geometric means

4.5:1^a

4.2:1^a

30 (hair), 29 (toenail)

Non-occupationally exposed Norwegians^b

[21]

3.58:1

42

Faroese whaling men

[22]

2.56:1

2.44:1^c

59

Non-occupationally exposed Japanese women

[15]

2.8:1

2.24:1^c

2.5:1

72

Non-occupationally exposed Finns

[13]

4.3:1

4.21:1^c

3.5:1

39

1.4:1

161 (hair), 163 (toenail)

Dentists

[26]

2.4:1

161 (hair), 155 (toenail)

Controls

3.08:1

2.79:1^c

3.16:1^d

41 (chronologically matched samples)

Non-occupationally exposed Japanese women (U.S.)

this study

2.77:1

2.39:1^c

41 (unmatched samples)