US EPA

2307322 

Journal Article 

Abstract 

Estimating the economic consequences of prenatal exposure to methylmercury 

Schmier, JK; Mink, PJ; Barraj, LM; Goodman, M; Britton, NL; Yager, JW 

2006 

Yes 

American Journal of Epidemiology
ISSN: 0002-9262
EISSN: 1476-6256 

163 

Suppl. 11 

S254 

English 

WOS:000238132901493 

https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/163/suppl_11/S1/115176/ABSTRACTS-OF-THE-2ND-NORTH-AMERICAN-CONGRESS-OF
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Background: At high exposures, methylmercury (MeHg) has been shown to be a potent neurotoxin. There are few studies on the costs of MeHg exposure. One published study presents a base case analysis and limited sensitivity analyses; however, the sensitivity analyses do not address key model parameters that may influence the estimated cost. Objective: To explore existing models of the economic impact of prenatal exposure to MeHg and to conduct a sensitivity analysis of key model parameters. Methods: We re-created a published model estimating costs of MeHg. We conducted sensitivity analyses on four key model input parameters, including extent of exposure, relationship between exposure and cognitive effects, potential decrement in future income, and expected lifetime income, by inserting alternative values from peer-reviewed studies. We evaluated the effect of each parameter individually and in combination with the other parameters. Results: The published model estimates that decrements in intelligence quotient (IQ) as a result of maternal blood mercury levels lead to lost future income of $8.7 billion annually in the U.S. (range: $2.2 and #150;43.8). In almost all cases, alternative values we identified in published literature were lower than those used in this model; our sensitivity analyses using these values produced lower cost estimates, ranging from $0.04 to 18.2 billion annually. Conclusions: Our sensitivity analyses, based on alternative estimates for the input parameters found in the peer-reviewed literature, suggest that published values of lost income associated with MeHg exposure may be overestimated. 

2nd North American Congress of Epidemiology 

Seattle, WA 

June 21-24, 2006