Abstract: To evaluate health risks of mercury (Hg) exposure for residents in typical aquatic production areas in China, a total of 139, 136, and 159 human hair samples were collected from Wuhan, Qingdao, and Xiamen, respectively. Total mercury concentrations (THg) in hair samples were measured and the influencing factors were analyzed. The median (P₂₅, P₇₅) of hair THg concentrations in the whole population (n=434) was 0.435 (0.262, 0.820) μg·g^-1. The medians (P₂₅, P₇₅) of hair THg concentrations in Wuhan, Qingdao, and Xiamen were 0.392 (0.253, 0.611) μg·g^-1, 0.305 (0.204, 0.478) μg·g^-1, and 0.814 (0.445, 1.350) μg·g^-1, respectively. 7.2%, 5.9%, and 40.3% of population from the three areas with hair THg concentrations exceeded reference value (1 μg·g^-1) set by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, respectively. The highest mean value of hair THg was obtained in Xiamen. There were significant differences of hair THg concentrations between Xiamen and Wuhan, and between Xiamen and Qingdao (P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between hair THg and frequency of fish consumption (P<0.001). Hair THg varied among different age groups, with the highest value in the age group of 36-65 years. The averaged odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) value of increasing hair THg in population with rice consumption was 6.47 (4.07-10.29) compared with the population without rice consumption. In conclusion, population in Xiamen is at high risk of Hg exposure, while the population in Wuhan and Qingdao are at low risk of Hg exposure.