The relationship of mercury exposure with neurological problems in artisanal gold in Makassar city

ObjectivesThis research aims to analyse the relationship between urine mercury levels and neurological problems.MethodsThis research is an observational study with a cross-sectional approach. There are 44 goldsmiths in the gold jewellery small scale industry involved in this study. Urine mercury levels were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Neurological problems were assessed by a medician. Data collected includes age, time of exposure, work duration, smoking behaviour and nutrition status of the goldsmiths which were obtained by interview.ResultsThe results showed that the concentration of mercury in the goldsmith’s urine was around 0.93–64.59 μg/L. The analysis showed that there were 63% of goldsmiths experiencing neurological problems, such as tremors (9.1%) and knee pass reflex (6.8%). The bivariate analysis showed that there is no significant relationship between the concentration of mercury (p=0.133), age (p=0.155), time of exposure (p=0.702), time of working (p=0.354), smoking behaviour (p=0.169) and nutrition status (p=0.541) with neurological problems.ConclusionsThe goldsmiths who had high levels of mercury in urine samples were diagnosed with at least one of the neurological symptoms. It is recommended that the goldsmith use personal protective equipment during work such as mask, glasses and gloves.

Measuring mercury in urine among students & professors at the faculty of dentistry exposed to mercury vapor by cold vapor atomic absorption technique

Introduction: Dentists are exposed to mercury vapor due to the occupational exposure to amalgam, which can endanger their health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mercury vapor on urinary mercury concentration of dental students and the restorative specialists in one of the dental schools of Iran. Methods: The study population consisted40 dental students and 10 restoration specialists. Sample urine at the end of work time was collected, and the concentration of mercury in urine was measured by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A questionnaire was completed to determine the effects of some personal and environmental factors on the amount of urinary mercury. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software. Results: The mean concentration of urinary mercury in dental students was 15.18±4.34μg/L and the restoration specialists were 4.11±1.05μg/l. In addition, there was a significant difference between the concentrations of urinary mercury in the two groups (P <0.001). At specialist professors there was a negative correlation between urinary mercury and working hours per day (r=-0.78, p=0.007). Also, in this study, there was a significant relationship between urine mercury and sex, age, type of amalgam consumed, consumption of smoking and the number of amalgam restorations. Conclusion: The level of urine mercury in all samples was lower the recommended amount of ACGIH. The study is recommended mercury level monitoring for regularly evaluation of the workplace.

Correlated Between Whitening Cream Mercury Level and Urine Mercury Level Users Whitening Cream in FKM Unair

Whitening cream containing mercury exposure can leads high levels mercury in urine and skin health complained. The aim of this study was to analyze correlation between whitening mercury levels and urine mercury levels among student users whitening cream in FKM Unair. This was a observasional study with cross sectional approach. This study was conducted in 11 undergraduated students of FKM Unair as sample from 12 students who are population by using simple random sampling. Moreover, facial whitening cream measurement used by respondents. Results showed that facial whitening cream as a whole containing mercury with an average 16,325 ppm. Levels mercury in urine of respondents an average 22,455 µg/g creatinin urine. Then the correlated between levels mercury in urine and levels mercury in cream has a value of 0,119. The conclusion of this study is not correlation whitening cream mercury levels with mercury levels in creatinin urine. Users of facial whitening cream is recomended to stop use facial whitening cream containing mercury and replace with natural produk like a mask of the fruit.

Urine Mercury Excretion Following meso-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Challenge in Fish Eaters

Context.—Public awareness of methylmercury in fish has caused patients to seek testing for mercury poisoning. In some patients, the diagnosis of mercury poisoning has been made based on urine mercury excretions following oral dosing of meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), a metal chelator. However, studies comparing urine mercury excretion following DMSA in healthy non–fish eaters with healthy fish eaters could not be located. Objectives.—To describe urinary mercury excretion before and after DMSA in healthy fish eaters and non–fish eaters, and to determine whether urine mercury excretion after DMSA would rise above baseline levels to a greater extent in fish eaters. Design.—A total of 24 healthy physicians were assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on fish consumption: non–fish eaters; 1 to 2 fish servings per week; and 3 or more servings per week. Blood mercury concentrations and 12-hour urine mercury and creatinine excretions were measured before and after oral ingestion of 30 mg of DMSA per kilogram of body weight. Results.—A total of 24 subjects completed the study, and 2 subsequently were excluded. No difference in baseline urinary mercury excretion was detected between groups. All groups demonstrated an increase in urinary mercury excretion following DMSA, which was higher in fish eaters (P = .04). Multiple linear regression found that the best predictor of a rise in urine mercury excretion following DMSA challenge was the prechelation blood mercury concentration. Conclusions.—In this study of healthy physicians, oral DMSA produced a rise in urine mercury excretion both in non–fish eaters and fish eaters. The increase in chelated mercury excretion was higher in fish eaters. A simple rise in chelated mercury excretion over baseline excretion is not a reliable diagnostic indicator of mercury poisoning.