Magnesium

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Probable Routes of Human Exposure:

 

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 162,623 workers (16,364 of these are female) are potentially exposed tomagnesium in the US. Occupational exposure tomagnesiumoccur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces wheremagnesiumis produced or used (SRC).

Monitoring data indicate that the general population is exposedto magnesium compounds via inhalation of ambient air, ingestion of food and drinking water, and dermal contact with this compound and other consumer products containing magnesium compounds.

FINE PARTICLES OF MAGNESIUMDISPERSED IN AIR DURING TRIMMING, FILING, OR BUFFING OF CASTINGS MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO MUCOUS MEMBRANES.

 

[Patty, F. (ed.). Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume II: Toxicology. 2nd ed. New York: Interscience Publishers, 1963., p. 1075] 

Occupational exposure to magnesium compounds may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where magnesium compounds are produced or used. Monitoring data indicate that the general population is exposed to magnesium compounds via inhalation of ambient air, ingestion of food and drinking water, and dermal contact with this compound and other consumer products containing magnesium compounds. (SRC)

Body Burden: 

The concn of magnesium in the human body ranges from 272 to 420 mg/kg wet wt(1). For 70 kg man, the total body content of magnesium is approx 24 g with 89% found in bone and muscle(1). The concn of magnesium in bone is about 1.1 g/kg wet wt which is about 60% of the total body content of magnesium(1). The avg concn of magnesium in serum, erthrocytes and whole blood are 20 mg/l, 12-53 mg/l and 18-23 mg/l, respectively (1). The mean concn of magnesium in human nails samples taken from individuals living in Japan, India, the United States, Canada, and Poland were 97.5, 105, 96.2, 85.8, and 84 ppm, respectively(2).

Average Daily Intake: 

As part of the FDA Total Diet study from 1982-1984(1), the avg daily intake of magnesium was determined for eight age-sex groups in the United States (all mg/day): 6-11 mo infant (118); 2 yr child (155); 14-16 yr girl (193); 14-16 yr boy (296); 25-30 yr woman (187); 25-30 yr man (288); 60-65 yr woman (184); 60-65 yr man (246). The avg daily intake of magnesium for African-Americans ranged 190-201 mg/day and 200-286 mg/day for women and men, respectively(2).

Natural Pollution Sources: 

Magnesium is approx 2% of the earth's crust, eighth in elemental abundance, and widely distributed in the environment as a variety of compounds(1,2). Its concn is 1.8% and 1.6% in igneous and sedimentary rocks, respectively(2). In igneous rocks, magnesium is typically a constituent of the dark-colored ferromagnesium minerals (e.g., olivine, pyroxenes, amphiboles, and dark-colored micas), along with other less common minerals(2). In metamorphic rocks, magnesium minerals such as chlorite, montmorillonite, and serpentine occur(2). Sedimentary rocks of magnesium include carbonates (e.g., magnesite and hydromagnesite), hydroxides (e.g., brucite), and mixtures of magnesium and calcium carbonate (e.g., dolimite)(2). Magnesium is also found in silicate minerals (e.g., olivine, serpentine, and asbestos)(1). Rocks and minerals contain a higher percentage of magnesium than do soils as a result of the loss of magnesium due to weathering(1). Magnesium chloride, with makes up 17% of sea salt(1) is released to the atmosphere as sea spray(SRC).

(1) Aikawa JK; pp. 1025-1034 in Metals and Their Compounds in the Environment. Merian E, ed. Weinheim, Germany: VCH (1991)

(2) Bodek I et al, eds; Environmental Inorganic Chemistry. Elmsford, NY: Pergamon Press pp. 6.5-1 to 6.5-10 (1988)]

Artificial Pollution Sources: 

The production and use of magnesium compounds as refractories, as chemical intermediates, and in construction materials(1,2) result in their release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC). The production and use of magnesium compounds in environmental applications and in agriculture(1,2) results in their direct release to the environment(SRC). About 69% of the magnesium compounds used in the United States were used for refractories (e.g., olivine)(1). The remaining 31% of magnesium compounds were used in agriculture as fertilizer or animal feed (e.g,magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate), as

-chemical intermediates(e.g., magnesium chloride, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide)

 -construction materials (e.g., magnesium oxide),

-environmental (e.g., magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide),

-industrial applications (e.g., magnesium oxide)(1,2).

 

Other uses include road dust and ice control (e.g., magnesium chloride), pulp and paper applications (e.g.,magnesium sulfate),

pharmaceuticals (e.g., magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide),

 and cosmetics (e.g., magnesium carbonate) (1,2).

[(1) Kramer DA; USGS Minerals Yearbook for Magnesium Compounds (2001). Available fromhttp://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/magnesium/401302.pdf as of Oct 21, 2002.

(2) Kramer DA; USGS Mineral Commodity Summary for Magnesium Compounds (2002). Available from http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/magnesium/401302.pdf as of Oct 21, 2002.]

Environmental Water Concentrations: 

GROUNDWATER:

 As part of the National Drinking Water Contaminant Occurrence Database (NCOD), the concn of dissolved and total magnesiumwere determined in ambient ground waters of the United States(1). The avg concns of dissolved and total magnesium were 41.4 mg/l (range, 0.01 to 5,800 mg/l) and 921.2 mg/l (range, 0.08 to 84,000 mg/l), respectively(1). The concn of magnesium in groundwater from different rock types were as follows, all mg/l(2): granite (3.9), plagioclase(15.3), sandstone (7.7), shale (76.8), limestone (9.7), dolimite (38.5).

[(1) USEPA; National Drinking Water Contaminant Occurrence Database (Dissolved and Total Magnesium). Available from the Database Query page athttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/data/ncod.html as of Oct 16, 2002.

(2) Bodek I et al, eds; Environmental Inorganic Chemistry. Elmsford, NY: Pergamon Press pp. 6.5-1 to 6.5-10 (1988)]

DRINKING WATER:

 As part of the National Drinking Water Contaminant Occurrence Database (NCOD) in the United States, the concn of magnesium was determined at many points in public water systems (PWS), including the intake and at various points in the treatment and distribution systems, as well as at the point where the drinking water can be labeled finished(1). The avg concn of magnesium was 2,110 ug/l (range, 1,500 to 2,900 ug/l) for PWS with intake from surface waters and 39,628 ug/l (range, 5,300 to 68,000 ug/l) for PWS with intake from ground water respectively. Raw, treated, and distributed drinking water for several cities around Canada tested during the period Nov 1976-Jan 1977 for seven metal ions(2); the median concns of magnesium in raw, treated, and distributed drinking waters ranged from 2.5-18 mg/l, 2.6-13 mg/l, and 2.6-13.2 mg/l respectively(2); higher levels in these ranges correspond to drinking water derived from wellwater(2).

[(1) USEPA; National Drinking Water Contaminant Occurrence Database (Dissolved and Total Magnesium). Available from the Database Query page athttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/data/ncod.html as of Oct 16, 2002.

(2) Meranger JC et al; Environ Sci Tech 13: 707-11 (1979)]

SURFACE WATER:

As part of the National Drinking Water Contaminant Occurrence Database (NCOD), the concns of dissolved and total magnesium were determined in ambient surface waters of the United States(1). The avg concns of dissolved magnesium in estuary, lake/reservoir, spring, and other surface water were 35.8 mg/l (range, 1.1 to 630 mg/l); 50.9 mg/l (range, 0.06 to 3,500 mg/l); 26.4 mg/l (range, 1.5 to 343 mg/l); and 20.5 mg/l (range, 0.002 to 1,600 mg/l), respectively(1). The avg concns of total magnesium in lake/reservoir, spring, and other surface waters were: 9.2 mg/l (range, 1.1 to 56 mg/l); 15.3 mg/l (range, 9 to 20 mg/l); and 31.6 mg/l (range, 0.4 to 9,800 mg/l), respectively(1).

(1) USEPA; National Drinking Water Contaminant Occurrence Database (Dissolved and Total Magnesium). Available from the Database Query page athttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/data/ncod.html as of Oct 16, 2002.]

SURFACE WATER:

 The concn of magnesium and other metals were measured in river water between 1995 and 1996 from areas in the upper Colorado river basin which have had historical contamination from acid mine drainage(1). In the Blue River basin and French Gulch (both in Colorado), the concns of magnesium in stream waters ranged from 0.91 to 5.6 mg/l (1). The concn of magnesium in surface waters from sources were as follows, all mg/l(2): closed basin lake, soda lake (0.6); stream, granite (0.6); stream, quartizite (0.2); stream, sandstone (2.4); river, unpolluted (3.35); river, polluted (3.65); river, worldwide mean (4.1). The concn of magnesium in sea water is 1.27 g/kg(3).

[(1) Apodaca LE et al; Environ Geology 39: 901-13 (2000)

(2) Bodek I et al, eds; Environmental Inorganic Chemistry. Elmsford, NY: Pergamon Press pp. 6.5-1 to 6.5-10 (1988)

(3) Aikawa JK; pp. 1025-1034 in Metals and Their Compounds in the Environment. Merian E, ed. Weinheim, Germany: VCH (1991)]

RAIN:

The mean concn of magnesium in rain water from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia taken in March 1994 was 1.93 mg/l in the first rain event; the concn of magnesium ranged from 0.54 to 4.37 mg/l in last 3 rain events of the season(1). The avg concn of magnesium in rainwater from near a highway in Japan ranged from 0.10 to 0.14 mg/l between January 1989 to December 1993(2). In 1979, concns of magnesium in precipitation samples taken from Enewetak Atoll (Pacific Ocean), Bay of Bengal, and Bermuda were 170 ug/kg, 1,600 ug/kg, and 490 ug/kg, respectively(3). The avg concn of magnesium in precipitation from Pittsfield, MA between July-August 1984 was 20 ug/l (range, 2-71 ug/l)(4). Between Jan to Aug 1986, the concn of magnesium in Rhode Island precipitation was 60 ppb(5). The mean concn of magnesium measured in precipitation from Villeroy, Quebec, Canada in 1992 was 39.2 ppb(6).

[(1) Alabdula'aly AI, Khan MA; Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 39: 66-73 (2000)

(2) Adachi A et al; Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 60: 892-7 (1998)

(3) Arimoto R et al; J Geophys Res D Atmos 90: 2391-408 (1985)

(4) Muhlbaier-Dasch J, Wolff GT; Air Water Soil Pollut 43: 401-412 (1989) (5) Heaton RW et al; Atmos Environ 24A: 147-153 (1990) (6) Poissant L et al; Chemospere 34: 567-585 (1997)]

SNOW:

 Snow taken from the lower Michigan peninsula during the winters of 1981-1982, 1982-1983 and 1983-1984 contained 7.9, 2.1, and 3.1 u-equiv/l of magnesium, respectively(1). In Montreal, Canada during the winter of 1993, the levels of magnesium and other metal ions were measured in snow near an expressway(2); the concn of magnesium in these snow samples ranged from 0.06 to 4.388 mg/l(2).

[(1) Cadle SH et al; Atmos Environ 20: 1171-1178 (1986)

(2) Loranger S et al; Environ Pollut 92: 203-211 (1996)]

Effluent Concentrations: 

In west-central Indiana (in the year 1994), the concn of magnesium ranged from 0.9 to 41 mg/l in surface waters contaminated with acid mine drainage(1).

[(1) Allen SK et al; Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 56: 240-3 (1996)]

Sediment/Soil Concentrations: 

SOIL:

 The average content of magnesium in soils is only 0.5%, because magnesium is removed from soils by weathering (1). In the United States, the avg concn of magnesium in soils in the lower 48 states is 9,000 ppm (range, 50 to greater than 100,000 ppm)(2). The concn of magnesium in arctic tundra soils (Chukotka, Russia) ranged from 3.4-10.5 mequiv/100 g dry soil and 12.0-33.5 mequiv/100 g in acid and limestone soils, respectively(3). Soil around three Antarctic lakes (collected in 1993/1994) contained between 3,500 to 5,370 mg/kg dry wt magnesium(4).

[(1) Bodek I et al, eds; Environmental Inorganic Chemistry. Elmsford, NY: Pergamon Press pp. 6.5-1 to 6.5-10 (1988)

(2) Shacklette HT, Boerngen JG; Element Concentrations in Soils and Other Surficial Materials of the Conterminous United States. USGS Prof Paper 1270, pp. 1-10 (1984)

 (3) Alexeeva-Popova NV et al; Sci Total Environ 160/161: 643-52 (1995)

 (4) Mentesi E et al; Intern J Environ Anal Chem 71: 245-255 (1998)]

 
SEDIMENT:

 Sediment from three Antarctic lakes (collected in 1993/94) contained between 3,350 to 5,240 mg/kg dry wt magnesium(1). The mean concn of magnesium (as MgO) in surficial sediment from Lake Ontario ranged from 2.79 to 2.85% dry weight(2). In Po river (Italy) suspended solids collected in 1989, the concn of magnesium was 1.8%(3).

[(1) Mentesi E et al; Intern J Environ Anal Chem 71: 245-255 (1998)

(2) Mudroch A; Environ Monit Assess 28: 117-129 (1993)

 (3) Pettine M et al; Sci Tot Environ 145: 243-265 (1994)]

Atmospheric Concentrations: 

URBAN/SUBURBAN:

The aerosol concn of magnesium in Ponce, Puerto Rico (an industrial region) ranged from 0.389 to 1.252 ug/cu m between 1983-1985(1). The concn of magnesium in the atmosphere was measured in Hemsby, United Kingdom (Mar 1987 to Mar 1988, 247 ng/cu m); Ny Alesund, Norway (winter 1984, 55 ng/cu m; summer 1984, 18 ng/cu m); Ghent, Belgium (Oct-Dec 1986, 130 ng/cu m); Vallatdolid, Spain (Dec 1982-Jan 1984, 106.5 ng/cu m); Reading, PA (Jul-Oct 1982, 56.0 ng/cu m); Karachi, Pakistan (July 1985, 3,330 ng/cu m)(2).

[(1) Infante R et al; Environ Technol Lett 10: 687-696 (1989)

 (2) Lee DS et al; Atmos Environ 28: 2691-2713 (1994)]

RURAL/REMOTE:

In 1995, the avg concn of magnesium in aerosols taken from the Amazon basin was 659 ng/cu m (range, 196 to 2,356 ng/cu m)(1). The avg airborne concn of magnesium in Great Smokey Mountains National Park, sampled Aug-Sept 1981, was 54 ng/cu m(2). At Glacier National Park between July-Aug 1980, the avg concn of magnesium in air was 340 ng/cu m(2). The atmospheric particulate concn of magnesium at the South Pole between Dec 1974 and Feb 1975 ranged from 300 to 1,420 pg/cu m(3).

[(1) Artaxo P et al; Atmos Environ 34: 4085-96 (2000) (2) Davidson CI et al; Environ Sci Technol 19: 27-34 (1985)]

Food Survey Values: 

As part of an FDA Total Diet study (1), the mean concn of magnesium was determined in market basket items in the US between 1991 and 1999 (all concns in mg/kg): whole milk, fluid (208); lowfat 2% milk, fluid (99); chocolate milk, fluid (141); skim milk, fluid (113); plain yogurt, lowfat (156); chocolate milk shake, fast-food (164); evaporated milk, canned (210); American processed cheese (268); cottage cheese, 4% milkfat (81); cheddar cheese (286); ground beef, pan-cooked (223); beef chuck roast, baked (241); beef steak, loin, pan-cooked (269); ham, baked (195); pork chop, pan-cooked (308); pork sausage, pan-cooked (202); prok bacon, pan-cooked (242); pork roast, baked (231); lamb chop, pan-cooked (279); chicken, fried (breast, leg, and thigh) homemade (263); turkey breast, roasted (306); liver, beef, fried (231); frankfurters, beef boiled (130); bologna, sliced (155); salami, sliced (188); tuna, canned in oil (287); fish sticks, frozen, heated (305); eggs, scrambled (120); eggs, fried (124); eggs, boiled (121); pinto beans, dry, boiled (496); pork and beans, canned (310); lima beans, immature, frozen, boiled (386); green peas, fresh/frozen, boiled (213); peanut butter, smooth (1,720); peanuts, dry roasted (1,850); white rice, cooked (88); oatmeal, quick (1-3 min), cooked (260); wheat cereal, farina (1-3 min), cooked (81); corngrits, regular, cooked (68); corn, fresh/frozen, boiled (188); cream style corn, canned (128); popcorn, popped in oil (1,090); white bread (225); white roll (256); cornbread, homemade (187); biscuit, from refrigerated dough, baked (171); whole wheat bread (733); tortilla flour (216); rye bread (358); blueberry muffin, commercial (115); saltine crackers (240); corn chips(775); pancake from mix (168); egg noodles, boiled (199); macaroni, boiled (168); corn flakes (85); fruit-flavored, sweetened cereal (291); shredded wheat cereal (1,220); raisin bran cereal (1,440); crisped rice cereal (302); granola cereal (900); oat ring cereal (1,150); apple, red, raw (51); orange, raw (108); banana, raw (295); watermelon, raw (100); peach, raw (87); applesauce, bottled (29); pear, raw (67); strawberries, raw (123); fruit cocktail, canned in heavy syrup (52); grapes, red/green, seedless, raw (72); cantaloupe, raw (112); plums, raw (71); grapefruit, raw (89); pineapple, canned in juice (144); sweet cherries, raw (132); raisins, dried (323); prunes, dried (418); avocado, raw (298); orange juice from frozen concentrate (106); apple juice, bottled (47); grapefruit juice, from frozen concentrate (100); prune juice bottled (138); lemonade, from frozen concentrate (14); spinach, fresh/frozen, boiled (460); collards, fresh/frozen, boiled (203); iceberg lettuce, raw (76); cabbage, fresh, boiled(82); coleslaw with dressing, homemade (101); sauerkraut, canned (104); broccoli, fresh/frozen, boiled (111); celery, raw (91); asparagus, fresh/frozen, boiled (98); cauliflower, fresh/frozen, boiled (91); tomato, red, raw (104); tomato sauce, plain, bottled (159); green beans, fresh/frozen, boiled (182); cucumber, raw (107); summer squash, fresh/frozen, boiled (132); green pepper, raw (95); winter squash, fresh/frozen, baked, mashed (167); onion, mature, raw (90); radish, raw (79).
[(1) FDA; Total Diet Study Statistics on Element Results (Magnesium). Washington, DC: USFDA. Available fromhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/TDS1byel.pdf as of Oct 21, 2002.]

As part of an FDA Total Diet study(1), the mean concn of magnesium was determined in market basket items in the US between 1991 and 1999 (all concns in mg/kg): French fries, frozen, heated (236); mashed potatoes, from flakes (146); white potato, boiled without skin (153); white potato baked with skin (246); potato chips (634); scalloped potatoes, homemade (183); sweet potato, fresh, baked (225); spaghetti with tomato sauce and meatballs, homemade (168); beef stew with potatoes, carrots, and onion, homemade (168); macaroni and cheese, from box mix (188); quarter-pound hamburger on bun, fast-food (220); meatloaf, homemade (199); spaghetti with tomato sauce, canned (116); lasagna with meat, homemade (208); chicken potpie, frozen, heated (125); chicken noodle soap, canned, condensed, prepared with water (45); tomato soup, canned condensed, prepared with water (70); vegetable beef soup, canned, condensed, prepared with water (58); white sauce, homemade (109); dill cucumber pickles (65); margarine, stick, regular (salted) (13); butter, regular (salted) (17); mayonnaise, regular, bottled (11); half & half cream (94); cream substitute, frozen (14); white sugar, granulated (0); pancake syrup (19); honey (14); tomato catsup (172); chocolate pudding, from instant mix (179); vanilla flavored light ice cream (146); chocolate cake with chocolate icing, commercial (292); yellow cake with white icing, prepared from cake and icing mixes (49); sweet roll/Danish, commercial (170); chocolate chip cookies, commercial (390); sandwich cookies with creme filling, commercial (247); apple pie, fresh/frozen, commercial (73); pumpkin pie, fresh/frozen, commercial (155); milk chocolate candy bar, plain (655); caramel candy (154); gelatin dessert, any flavor (0); cola carbonated beverage (6); fruit drink, from powder (26); low-calorie cola carbonate beverage (6); coffee, decaffeinated, from instant (50); tea from tea bag (11); beer (58); dry table wine (86); whiskey (0); tap water (9); milk-based infant formula, high iron, ready-to-feed (63); milk-based infant formula, low iron, ready-to-feed (64); beef, strained/junior (128); chicken, strained/junior, with/without broth or gravy (145); chicken/turkey with vegetables, high/lean meat, strained/junior (88); beef with vegetables, high/lean meat strained/junior (90); ham with vegetable, high/lean meat, strained/junior (117); vegetables and beef, strained/junior (95).

[(1) FDA; Total Diet Study Statistics on Element Results (Magnesium). Washington, DC: USFDA. Available fromhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/TDS1byel.pdf as of Oct 21, 2002.]

As part of an FDA Total Diet study(1), the mean concn of magnesium was determined in market basket items in the US between 1991 and 1999 (all concns in mg/kg): vegetables and chicken, strained/junior (91); vegetables and ham, strained/junior (80); chicken noddle dinner, strained/junior (94); macaroni, tomatoes, and beef, strained/junior (97); turkey and rice, strained/junior (80); carrots, strained/junior (97); green beans, strained/junior (179); mixed vegetables, strained junior (108); sweet potatoes, strained/junior (150); creamed corn, strained/junior (91); peas, strained junior (196); creamed spinach, strained/junior (378); applesauce, strained/junior (42); peaches, strained/junior (79); pears, strained/junior (78); apple juice strained (46); orange juice, strained (114); custard pudding, strained/junior (59); fruit dessert/pudding, strained/junior (60); fruit-flavored yogurt, lowfat (fruit mixed in) (130); Swiss cheese (84); cream cheese (84); veal cutlet, pan-cooked (339); ham luncheon meat, sliced (179); chicken breast, roasted (288); chicken nuggets, fast-food (249); chicken, fried (breast, leg, and thigh), fast- food (238); haddock, pan-cooked (328); shrimp, boiled (405); kidney beans, dry, boiled (445); peas, mature dry boiled (416); mixed nuts, no peanuts, dry roasted (2,390); cracked wheat bread (472); bagel, plain (257); English muffin, plain, toasted (248); graham crackers (320); butter-type crackers (193); apricot, raw (101); peach, canned in light/medium syrup (52); pear, canned in light syrup(47);pineapple juice, from frozen concentrate (136); grape juice, from frozen concentrate (59); French fries, fast- food (343); carrot, fresh, boiled (87); tomato, stewed, canned (115); tomato juice, bottled (117); beets, fresh/frozen, boiled (230); Brussels sprouts, fresh/frozen, boiled (183); mushrooms, raw (79); eggplant, fresh, boiled (98); turnip, fresh/frozen, boiled (88); okra, fresh/frozen, boiled (355); mixed vegetables, frozen, boiled (186); beef stroganoff, homemade (187); green peppers stuffed with beef and rice, homemade (121); chili con carne beans, homemade (252); tuna noodle casserole, homemade (151); Salisbury steak with gravy, potatoes, and vegetable, frozen, heated (187).

[(1) FDA; Total Diet Study Statistics on Element Results (Magnesium). Washington, DC: USFDA. Available fromhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/TDS1byel.pdf as of Oct 21, 2002.]

As part of an FDA Total Diet study(1), the mean concn of magnesium was determined in market basket items in the US between 1991 and 1999 (all concns in mg/kg): turkey with gravy, dressing, potatoes, and vegetable, frozen meal, heated (161); quarter-pound cheeseburger on bun, fast-food (221); fish sandwich on bun, fast-food (247); frankfurter on bun, fast-food (192); egg, cheese, and ham on English muffin, fast-food (207); taco/tostada, from Mexican carry-out (335); cheese pizza, regular crust, from pizza carry-out (279); cheese and pepperoni pizza, regular crust, from pizza carry-out (274); beef chow mein, from Chinese carry-out (126);bean with bacon/pork soup, canned, condensed, prepared with water (200); mushroom soup, canned, condensed, prepared with whole milk (76); clam chowder, New England, canned, condensed, prepared with whole milk (121); vanilla ice cream (124);fruit flavored sherbert (53); popsicle, any flavor (19); chocolate snack cake with chocolate icing (366); cake doughnuts with icing, any flavor, from doughnut store (175); brownies, commercial (383); sugar cookies (124); suckers, any flavor (21);pretzels, hard, salted, any shape (289); chocolate syrup dessert topping (490); jelly, any flavor (55); sweet cucumber pickles (56); yellow mustard (498); black olives (43); sour cream (109); brown gravy, homemade (109); French salad dressing, regular (58); Italian salad dressing, low-calorie (34); olive/safflower oil (0); coffee, from ground (25); fruit-flavored carbonated beverage (6); fruit drink, canned (31); martini (4); soy-based infant formula, ready-to-feed (73); egg yolk, strained/junior (76); rice infant cereal, instant, prepared with whole milk (185); rice cereal, strained/junior (53); bananas with tapioca, strained/junior (124); beets, strained/junior (216); split peas with vegetables and ham/bacon, strained/junior (91); teething biscuits (402); salmon, steaks or filets, fresh or frozen, baked (316); rice cereal with apple, strained/junior (66); squash, strained/junior (131).

[(1) FDA; Total Diet Study Statistics on Element Results (Magnesium). Washington, DC: USFDA. Available fromhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/TDS1byel.pdf as of Oct 21, 2002.]


Plant Concentrations: 

Magnesium is esssential to the photosynthetic process and, thus, it is found in plants that utilize photosynthesis for growth(1). Plants may contain 1 to 8 g/kg magnesium(1). Marine algae contains between 6 to 20 g/kg of magnesium(1). Lake algae from three Antarctic lakes (collected in 1993/94) contained between 8,700 to 11,500 mg/kg dry wt magnesium(2).

[(1) Aikawa JK; pp. 1025-1034 in Metals and Their Compounds in the Environment. Merian E, ed. Weinheim, Germany: VCH (1991) (2) Mentesi E et al; Intern J Environ Anal Chem 71: 245-255 (1998)]

Fish/Seafood Concentrations: 

Fourteen muscle samples of bluefin tuna, collected in the area of the Virgin Rocks (Grand Banks, Newfoundland, Canada), were analyzed for magnesium and other metals(1); the concn of magnesium in these samples was 680 ppm dry wt(1). The levels of elements were measured in fish samples taken from Antarctica between Feb and Mar 1989(2); in blackfin icefish the mean concn of magnesium in muscle and liver tissues were 570 and 630 ug/g dry wt, respectively(2); in hump rock cod, the mean concn of magnesium in muscle was 770 ug/g dry wt(2).

[(1) Hellou J et al; Chemosphere 24: 211-218 (1992) (2) Szefer P et al; Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 25: 422-427 (1993)]

Animal Concentrations: 

The concn of magnesium in mammals is about 1 g/kg (dry wt)(1). The mean concn of magnesium in liver tissues taken from marine mammals were 120 ug/g wet wt (range, 81-150 ug/g wet wt), 204 ug/g wet wt (range, 128-267 ug/g wet wt), 148 ug/g wet wt (range, 134-162 ug/g wet wt), 133 ug/g wet wt (range, 58-219 ug/g wet wt), 235 ug/g wet wt (range, 163-330 ug/g wet wt), and 97 ug/g wet wt (range, 63-127 ug/g wet wt) for pilot whale, harbor porpoise, white-sided dolphin, beluga whale, ringed seal, and bowhead whale, respectively(2). The concn of magnesiumin the livers of mink and river otter from British Columbia ranged from 580-634 ug/g dry wt and 587-643 ug/g dry wt, respectively(3). The concn ofmagnesium in the kidneys of mink and river otter from British Columbia ranged were 433 ug/g dry wt and 533 ug/g dry wt, respectively(3).

[(1) Aikawa JK; pp. 1025-1034 in Metals and Their Compounds in the Environment. Merian E, ed. Weinheim, Germany: VCH (1991) (2) Becker PR et al; Chemosphere 34: 2067-98 (1997) (3) Harding LE et al; Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 61: 600-607 (1998)]

Milk Concentrations: 

As part of an FDA Total Diet study(1), the mean concn of magnesium was determined market basket items in the US between 1991 and 1999 (all concns in mg/kg): whole milk, fluid (208); lowfat 2% milk, fluid (99); skim milk, fluid (113); evaporated milk, canned (210); milk-based infant formula, low iron, ready- to-feed (64).

[(1) FDA; Total Diet Study Statistics on Element Results (Magnesium). Washington, DC: USFDA. Available fromhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/TDS1byel.pdf as of Oct 21, 2002.]

Other Environmental Concentrations: 

Coal and related fuels contain a high concn of magnesium (concns unspecified)(1).
[(1) Aikawa JK; pp. 1025-1034 in Metals and Their Compounds in the Environment. Merian E, ed. Weinheim, Germany: VCH (1991)]