1
|
Lee JY, Yoshida M, Satoh M, Watanabe C. Neurobehavioral effects of the exposure to mercury vapor and methylmercury during postnatal period on mice. Toxicol Res 2024; 40:111-124. [PMID: 38223668 PMCID: PMC10786797 DOI: 10.1007/s43188-023-00210-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the neurobehavioral alterations and modifications of gene expression in the brains of female mice exposed to low-level mercury vapor and/or methylmercury during postnatal development. The mice were exposed to low-level mercury vapor at a mean concentration of 0.094 mg/m3 and supplied with tap water containing 5 ppm methylmercury from postnatal day 11 to 12 weeks of age. Behavioral analyses were performed at 17 weeks of age. Total locomotor activity in the open field test and the retention trial performance in the passive avoidance test were significantly reduced in the combined exposure group compared with those in the control group. The differences in locomotor activity and performance in the retention trial at 17 weeks were no longer detected at 45 weeks. These results suggest that the effect of aging on the behavioral abnormalities resulting from postnatal exposure to mercury complexes are not significant. In the microarray analysis of brains in the combined exposure group, the gene expression levels of Ano2 and Sgk1 were decreased. Real-time RT-PCR analysis confirmed these changes caused by combined mercury exposure, showing significant downregulation of Ano2 and Sgk1 in the cerebrum. These genes play key roles in the brain as a calcium-activated chloride channel and as a kinase that responds to cellular stress, respectively. Our findings provide insight into the neurobehavioral changes caused by combined mercury exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Yong Lee
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University, 1-100 Kusumoto-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8650 Japan
| | - Minoru Yoshida
- Department of Nursing, Tokyo Junshin University, 2-600 Takiyama-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0011 Japan
| | - Masahiko Satoh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University, 1-100 Kusumoto-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8650 Japan
| | - Chiho Watanabe
- Interfaculty Initiative in Planetary Health, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Orlando MS, Love T, Harrington D, Dziorny AC, Shamlaye CF, Watson GE, van Wijngaarden E, Davidson PW, Myers GJ. The association of auditory function measures with low-level methylmercury from oceanic fish consumption and mercury vapor from amalgam: The Seychelles Child Development Study Nutrition 1 Cohort. Neurotoxicology 2023; 95:46-55. [PMID: 36621469 PMCID: PMC9998349 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some authors have reported that low-level exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) adversely impacts measures of auditory function. These reports, however, are not consistent in their findings. Consequently, we examined auditory function in a population exposed to low-level methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from fish consumption and to mercury vapor (Hg0) from dental amalgams. We analyzed their associations with the participants hearing acuity, absolute and interwave ABR latencies, and otoacoustic emissions (distortion product/DPOAE and click evoked/CEOAE). DESIGN We administered an audiometry test battery to 246 participants from the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) Nutrition Cohort 1 (NC1) at 9 years of age. The test battery included standard pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) and Distortion Product and Click Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE and CEOAE) testing. We measured prenatal MeHg exposure in maternal hair and postnatal MeHg in children's hair. We approximated prenatal Hg0 exposure using maternal amalgam surface area and postnatal Hg0 using children amalgam surface area. Complete exposure records and audiometric data were available on 210 participants and in them we analyzed the association of MeHg and Hg0 exposures with auditory outcomes using covariate-adjusted linear regression models adjusted for sex and tympanometric pressure. RESULTS Hg exposures were similar for both sexes. Seven of the 210 evaluable participants examined had either a mild (5) or moderate (2) hearing loss. Four had a mild monaural hearing loss and 3 had either a mild (1) or moderate (2) bilateral hearing loss. No participant had greater than a moderate hearing loss in either ear. Hg exposures were higher in participants with either a mild or moderate hearing loss, but these differences were not statistically significant. Among the 210 with complete data, neither prenatal nor postnatal MeHg nor Hg0 exposure was statistically significantly associated with any of the ABR endpoints (p > 0.05 for all 72 associations). Neither prenatal nor postnatal Hg0 exposure was associated with any of the OAE endpoints (p > 0.05). MeHg exposure was statistically associated with 6 of the 56 DPOAE endpoints (p-values between 0.0001 and 0.023), but none of the 40 CEOAE endpoints. Two of the associations occurred with prenatal MeHg exposures and 1 of those would suggest a beneficial effect. Four of the other associations occurred with postnatal MeHg exposures with only 2 found in left ears of both males and females and the other 2 in the left and right ear of females at only one frequency. CONCLUSION Overall, these data do not present a clear and consistent pattern to suggest that the auditory system is negatively affected by low-level methylmercury exposure due to dietary consumption of oceanic fish or mercury vapor exposure from dental amalgams.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Orlando
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
| | - Tanzy Love
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Donald Harrington
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Adam C Dziorny
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | | | - Gene E Watson
- Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Edwin van Wijngaarden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Community Health and Prevention, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Philip W Davidson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Gary J Myers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vakili F, Rashidi A, Taghavi L, Mansouri N. Conversion of biomass to N, S co-doped porous graphene as an adsorbent for mercury vapor removal: optimization and DFT study. J Environ Health Sci Eng 2021; 19:1569-1582. [PMID: 34900289 PMCID: PMC8617130 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00712-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study is devoted to optimization synthesis conditions of the N, S co-doped porous graphene via a single step thermal chemical activation process from agricultural wastes such as cabbage waste. To this end, the response surface method (RSM) was considered, and the synthesis parameters were varied in specific ranges. By doing so, the optimum conditions in terms of the best performance in mercury removal was determined which was characterized by TEM, SEM, BET, XRD, XPS, and FTIR techniques. The chosen key process parameters were Activation agent to carbon precursor ratio (A: KOH/C), Reaction time (B: Time), Activation temperature (C: Temperature), and (Dopant to carbon precursor ratio (D: Dopant/C). Each parameter was investigated in 3 levels with lower and upper bounds being A: 2-6; B:30-90 min.; C: 600-800 ˚C; D:2-10. The optimum conditions of the process were determined to be as: A: 2; B: 30 min.; C: 600 ˚C and D: 2. The optimized sample was prepared in repeated runs with reproducible results with Hg vapor adsorption capacity of 2100 µg/g at 40 ˚C and 2266 µg/g at 90 ˚C. In addition to the experiments, DFT calculations were also carried out which elucidated the positive role of N and S co-doping in improving the mercury adsorption intensity. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-021-00712-y.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Forouzan Vakili
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alimorad Rashidi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), West Entrance Blvd., Olympic Village, P.O. Box 14857-33111, Tehran, Iran
| | - Lobat Taghavi
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nabiollah Mansouri
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li J, Xiang Y, Ma W, Fu X, Huang Y, Li G. Gold particles decorated reduced graphene oxide for low level mercury vapor detection with rapid response at room temperature. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021; 228:112995. [PMID: 34801924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Rapid and sensitive detection of mercury vapor is of great significance for environmental protection and human health. But the detection method enabling low detection limitation and rapid response at room temperature simultaneously has rarely been reported. In this work, we propose a gold particles decorated reduced graphene oxide sensor for mercury vapor detection. After adding the gold particles, the reduced graphene oxide sensors' response sensitivity increase by more than 16 times and the response time significantly decreases, which is far less below the results reported by others. The sensor performance improvement should attribute to the distribution of the decorated gold particles, which insert into the layered graphene sheets, as demonstrated by the SEM and XRD results. The increased layer spacing of graphene sheets is conductive to the faster entry/exit of mercury vapor and increases the effective sensing area of graphene. What's more, the first-principles calculation results confirm the mercury-philicity of gold particles, which also contributes to the increased sensitivity. We further test more performance of the gold particles decorated reduced graphene oxide sensor to mercury vapor, which shows a linear response, low detection limit and good repeatability. The proposed sensor shows rapid response/recovery (6/8 s), low detection limit (0.01 ng/mL), linear response, good repeatability and room temperature detection simultaneously, which shows great application potential for mercury vapor detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yi Xiang
- College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Weibin Ma
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xinglan Fu
- College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yuehua Huang
- College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Guanglin Li
- College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pastor-Idoate S, Coco-Martin RM, Zabalza I, Lantigua Y, Fernández I, Pérez-Castrillón JL, Cuadrado R, de Lazaro JA, Morejon A, Dueñas-Laita A, Pastor JC. Long-term visual pathway alterations after elemental mercury poisoning: report of a series of 29 cases. J Occup Med Toxicol 2021; 16:49. [PMID: 34772411 PMCID: PMC8590381 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-021-00341-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few clinical data on retinal involvement after acute exposure to high concentrations mercury and the available reports are based on a small number of patients suffering chronic exposure. The purpose of this paper is to report findings in workers acutely exposed to very high concentrations of mercury vapor with the aim of providing data on a possible direct retinal involvement. METHODS Twenty-nine patients and 16 controls were evaluated in a comparative case series. Mercury levels in blood and urine samples, visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), visual field (VF), color discrimination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were recorded. The pattern reversal visual-evoked potentials (PRVEP), full-field and multifocal electroretinography (ffERG/mfERG), pattern electroretinography (PERG), systemic symptoms, presence of erethism, and electromyography (EMG) were also gathered. A descriptive analysis was performed. The correlations between variables also were studied. In addition, electrophysiological data from those patients with deeper VF defects (group 1) were compared with a normal control group. RESULTS Twenty-six workers exhibited symptoms of erethism. The EMG showed sensorimotor polyneuropathy and multiple mononeuropathy. The VA was slightly affected in 48.27% (n = 14) of subjects. Loss of CS in at least one of four spatial frequencies and color vision alterations occurred in 96.5% (n = 28) and 44.8% (n = 13), respectively. VF alterations were identified in 72.4% (n = 21) patients. No morphologic changes were seen in the OCT scans. Latencies over 100 milliseconds and reduced amplitudes of P100 were found in the PRVEP (p < 0.05). The reduced amplitude of the b wave at the ffERG, of the P50 at the PERG and of the P1 wave at the mfERG results (p < 0.05) suggested that the outer retina was involved. Significant negative correlations among blood mercury levels, VA, and ffERG were observed. CONCLUSIONS In this case series, showed that acute exposure to mercury vapor had a hazardous effect on the visual system. Although neurologic and visual pathway involvement was clearly demonstrated, the differences found compared to control support the existence of a direct functional retinal damage and participation in impaired vision in mercury poisoning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Pastor-Idoate
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.,Cooperative Health Network for Research in Ophthalmology Oftared, National Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Clinic University Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Rosa M Coco-Martin
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain. .,Cooperative Health Network for Research in Ophthalmology Oftared, National Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Iratxe Zabalza
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.,Puerta del Mar University Hospital of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Yrbani Lantigua
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.,University Hospital of Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Itziar Fernández
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.,Cooperative Health Network for Research in Ophthalmology Oftared, National Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose L Pérez-Castrillón
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.,Department of Internal Medicine, Río Hortega University Hospital, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ruben Cuadrado
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jose A de Lazaro
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Angela Morejon
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Antonio Dueñas-Laita
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.,Unit of Clinical Toxicology, Río Hortega University Hospital, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jose C Pastor
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Eye Institute, University of Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, P° de Belén n° 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.,Cooperative Health Network for Research in Ophthalmology Oftared, National Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Clinic University Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Brown ST, Hasan KM, Moody KH, Loving DC, Howe KE, Dawson AG, Drace K, Hugdahl JD, Seney CS, Vega CM, Fernandez LE, Kiefer AM. Method for mapping Hg 0 emissions from gold shops in artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities. MethodsX 2020; 7:101060. [PMID: 32995311 PMCID: PMC7516184 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2020.101060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gold shops in artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities represent major point sources of airborne mercury pollution. Concentrations of elemental mercury (Hg0) emitted by these shops can be determined using a portable atomic absorbance spectrometer (AAS) with Zeeman correction. These measured Hg0 concentrations can then be correlated to position as determined by a hand-held GPS unit, and the resulting data mapped using a Geographic Information System (GIS). A detailed method for obtaining and analyzing data collected near gold shops in Mazuko, Peru is provided. Maps generated using this method were employed to identify point sources of Hg0 contamination originating from gold shops in ASGM communities and were shared with local city managers to assist in urban planning.A detailed method is provided to collect and process data, ultimately generating a map that allows for the screening of a community to identify point sources of Hg0 contamination. Raw data is provided, as well as a video detailing data processing and mapping using a common spreadsheet program and an open-source GIS. The generated map can be used for determining areas where people may be exposed to elevated Hg0 concentrations and/or occupational mercury vapor exposure, targeted enforcement, or outreach to limit Hg0 pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha T Brown
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University Macon, GA, United States
| | - Kazi M Hasan
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University Macon, GA, United States
| | - Keegan H Moody
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University Macon, GA, United States
| | | | - Kathryn E Howe
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University Macon, GA, United States
| | - Alaina G Dawson
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University Macon, GA, United States
| | - Kevin Drace
- Department of Biology, Birmingham-Southern College Birmingham, AL, United States
| | | | - Caryn S Seney
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University Macon, GA, United States
| | - Claudia M Vega
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica (CINCIA), Puerto Maldonado 17000, Madre de Dios, Peru.,Center for Energy, Environmental and Sustainability (CEES), Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem 27109, NC, United States
| | - Luis E Fernandez
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica (CINCIA), Puerto Maldonado 17000, Madre de Dios, Peru.,Center for Energy, Environmental and Sustainability (CEES), Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem 27109, NC, United States
| | - Adam M Kiefer
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University Macon, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bose-O'Reilly S, Lettmeier B, Shoko D, Roider G, Drasch G, Siebert U. Infants and mothers levels of mercury in breast milk, urine and hair, data from an artisanal and small-scale gold mining area in Kadoma / Zimbabwe. Environ Res 2020; 184:109266. [PMID: 32126374 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In Kadoma (Zimbabwe) gold is extracted from ore based on a simple technology using mercury. Women are exposed whilst living in an exposed area, or even more working directly with mercury. Breast fed infants are exposed via mercury contaminated milk and the general environmental mercury exposure. The aim of the study was to measure infants and mothers levels of mercury in urine and hair, as well as in breast milk. In 2006, an environmental epidemiological field study with 120 mother - child pairs was conducted. A non exposed control group (n = 42) was compared with a medium exposed group (n = 51) and a high exposed group (occupational exposure, n = 27). Urine and hair samples from mother and infants plus breast milk samples were analyzed for total mercury. 120 breast milk samples were analyzed, median (maximum) concentrations [μg Hg/l] were (i) control group < 0.50 (1.55), (ii) medium exposed group 1.10 (10.48), (iii) high exposed group 1.20 (24.80) (p < 0,001). Urine and hair results were distributed similarly for infants and mothers, with higher levels according to the exposure subgroup. All specimen results correlated very well with another, indicating there is a pathway between breast milk and infant's level of mercury. The daily uptake of mercury via breast milk was calculated. The reference dose of 0.3°[μg Hg/kg BW/d] was used to compare the burden of the infants. No infant from the control group, but 17.6% of the medium and 18.5% of the high exposed group were above the reference dose. Mercury in breast milk is generally higher in artisanal and small scale gold mining areas. Breast fed infants were burdened with toxic mercury via breast milk and via the general environment, both are important public health issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Munich, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, D-80336, Munich, Germany; Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT (Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology), Eduard Wallnoefer Zentrum 1, A-6060, Hall i.T., Austria.
| | - Beate Lettmeier
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT (Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology), Eduard Wallnoefer Zentrum 1, A-6060, Hall i.T., Austria; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Nussbaumstraße 26, D-80336, Munich, Germany.
| | - Dennis Shoko
- Tailjet Consultancy Services, 4 Tor Road, Vainona, Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
| | - Gabriele Roider
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Nussbaumstraße 26, D-80336, Munich, Germany.
| | - Gustav Drasch
- Tailjet Consultancy Services, 4 Tor Road, Vainona, Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
| | - Uwe Siebert
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT (Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology), Eduard Wallnoefer Zentrum 1, A-6060, Hall i.T., Austria; Cardiovascular Research Program, Institute for Technology Assessment and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Health Decision Science, Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Warwick D, Young M, Palmer J, Ermel RW. Mercury vapor volatilization from particulate generated from dental amalgam removal with a high-speed dental drill - a significant source of exposure. J Occup Med Toxicol 2019; 14:22. [PMID: 31346345 PMCID: PMC6637613 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-019-0240-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ubiquitous use of dental amalgam for over 180 years has resulted in the exposure of millions of dental workers to mercury. Dental amalgam contains approximately 50% mercury. Dental workers, including dentists, dental assistants, and dental hygienists, have been shown to have increased levels of mercury and suffer more from health issues related to mercury exposure than the general public. Mercury is known to be absorbed via inhalation or through the skin. There are many routine dental procedures that require the removal of dental amalgam by using the dental high-speed drill, which we suspected generates an occupational mercury exposure that is not sufficiently recognized. Results We showed that drilling dental amalgam generates particulate that volatilizes significant amounts of mercury vapor generally for more than an hour after removal. The levels of mercury vapor created by this procedure frequently exceed the safety thresholds of several jurisdictions and agencies. Conclusions A significant, underrecognized source of localized exposure to mercury vapor was identified in this study. The vapor was created by microgram levels of particulate generated from dental amalgam removal with a high-speed dental drill, even when all feasible engineering controls were used to reduce mercury exposure. This exposure may explain why dental workers incur health effects when safety thresholds are not breached. The dispersion patterns for the particulate are not known, so the use of effective skin barriers and inhalation protection are required during amalgam removal to protect the dental worker from this form of occupational mercury exposure. Standard methodologies for occupational mercury exposure assessment appear to be inadequate when assessing mercury exposure during amalgam removal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Warwick
- Dental Practice, Hanna Dental Clinic, 202, 2nd Ave W, Hanna, Alberta Canada
| | - Matt Young
- Dental Practice, 728 5th Ave. West, Hendersonville, NC USA
| | - Joe Palmer
- Dental Practice, Palmer Distinctive Dentistry, 134 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Darvishi E, Assari MJ, Farhadian M, Chavoshi E, Ehsani HR. Occupational exposure to mercury vapor in a compact fluorescent lamp factory: Evaluation of personal, ambient air, and biological monitoring. Toxicol Ind Health 2019; 35:304-313. [PMID: 30917767 DOI: 10.1177/0748233719831531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have become a popular lighting choice in recent years despite the good performance of light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. The CFLs that have been produced recently contain 1.5-3.5 mg Hg/lamp. There is evidence that even low doses of mercury are toxic. This study aimed to assess occupational exposure to mercury vapor in workers of a CFLs factory by determining mercury levels in personal and ambient air samples and urine of workers. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 59 workers in a CFLs factory in Iran. Personal and ambient air sampling of mercury vapor levels (MVLs) was performed during a workday. In total, 10 personal samples and 10 ambient air samples of mercury vapor were collected simultaneously from different units of the factory. Urine samples were collected before the work shift. Samples were analyzed using a cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer (CVAAS). The mean of the MVLs in the personal and ambient air samples was 14.78 ± 5.76 and 67.10 ± 59.37 µg.m-3, respectively. The highest MVL was measured for the production line supervisor (25 µg.m-3). There was a significant correlation between the MVLs in the ambient air and personal samples ( r = 0.84, p = 0.005). The mean urinary mercury level (UML) was 13.85 ± 13.14 µg/g creatinine. The UML of 86.4% workers was below the 20 µg/g creatinine recommended by the Centre of Environmental and Occupational Health in Iran. There were significant differences between the UMLs in different areas of the factory ( p = 0.041). Lamp breakage was an important determinant of exposure to mercury vapor; hence, effective programs to control mercury vapor are essential in the CFLs industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim Darvishi
- 1 Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Assari
- 2 Center of Excellence for Occupational Health, Occupational Health and Safety Research Center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Maryam Farhadian
- 3 Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Chavoshi
- 4 Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Ehsani
- 5 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hitosugi M, Tojo M, Kane M, Shiomi N, Shimizu T, Nomiyama T. Criminal mercury vapor poisoning using heated tobacco product. Int J Legal Med 2018; 133:479-481. [PMID: 30178086 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1923-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We report an unusual case of mercury vapor poisoning from using a heated tobacco product. The suspect had added grains of mercury into 20 cigarettes in a pack. When a 36-year-old Japanese man inserted one of these cigarettes into the battery powered holder, it was heated to a temperature of 350 °C, and he inhaled vaporized mercury. After using 14 of the cigarettes over 16 h, he noticed he had flu-like symptoms so he visited the hospital. Although no physical abnormalities were revealed, 99 μg/L of mercury was detected in his serum sample. His general condition improved gradually and his whole blood mercury level had decreased to 38 μg/L 5 days later. When the remaining six cigarettes in the pack were examined, many metallic grains weighing a total of 1.57 g were observed. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry confirmed the grains as elemental mercury. Accordingly, the victim was diagnosed with mercury poisoning. Because the mercury was incorporated into cigarettes, an unusual and novel intoxication occurred through the heating of the tobacco product. Both medical and forensic scientific examination confirmed this event as attempted murder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Hitosugi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan.
| | - Misa Tojo
- Department of Legal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
| | - Masateru Kane
- Department of Legal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Shiga Prefectural Police Headquarters, Otsu, Shiga, 520-0106, Japan
| | - Naoto Shiomi
- Emergency and critical care medicine, Saiseikai Shiga Hospital, Ritto, Shiga, 520-3046, Japan
| | - Takeshi Shimizu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Nomiyama
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yoshida M, Lee JY, Satoh M, Watanabe C. Neurobehavioral effects of postnatal exposure to low-level mercury vapor and/or methylmercury in mice. J Toxicol Sci 2018; 43:11-17. [PMID: 29415947 DOI: 10.2131/jts.43.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effects on neurobehavioral function of exposure to low-level mercury vapor (Hg0), methylmercury (MeHg) in female mice and the combination of Hg0 and MeHg during postnatal development. Postnatal mice were exposed to Hg0 at a mean concentration of 0.188 mg/m3 Hg0 and supplied with food containing 3.85 μg/g of MeHg from day 2 to day 28 after delivery. The combined exposure group was exposed to both Hg0 and MeHg, using the same procedure. When their offspring reached the age of 11 weeks, behavioral analyses were performed. The behavioral effects in mice were evaluated based on locomotive activity and rate of center entries in the open field (OPF), learning activity in the passive avoidance response (PA) and spatial learning ability in the radial maze (RM). Total locomotive activity in the OPF significantly decreased in the Hg0, MeHg and combined exposure groups compared with the control group. The proportion of entries to central area in the OPF was significantly higher in the combined exposure group than in the control group, while those in the Hg0 or MeHg exposure group did not differ from the control group. Other behavioral tests did not reveal significant differences among the groups. Behavioral anomalies were more distinctive after combined exposure compared to Hg0 or MeHg exposure alone. The brain Hg concentration of offspring, immediately after exposure, was highest in the combined exposure group, exceeding 2 μg/g, followed by the MeHg and Hg0 exposure groups. Thus, the enhancement of neurobehavioral effects in the combined exposure group was associated with higher brain mercury concentration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Yoshida
- Faculty of Health and Medical Care, Hachinohe Gakuin University
| | - Jin-Yong Lee
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Masahiko Satoh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Chiho Watanabe
- Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Do SY, Lee CG, Kim JY, Moon YH, Kim MS, Bae IH, Song HS. Cases of acute mercury poisoning by mercury vapor exposure during the demolition of a fluorescent lamp factory. Ann Occup Environ Med 2017. [PMID: 28649389 PMCID: PMC5477751 DOI: 10.1186/s40557-017-0184-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2015, workers dismantling a fluorescent lamp factory in Korea were affected by mercury poisoning from exposure to mercury vapor. Case presentation Eighteen out of the 21 workers who participated in the demolition project presented with symptoms of poisoning and, of these, 10 had persistent symptoms even at 18 months after the initial exposure to mercury vapor. Early symptoms of 18 workers included a general skin rash, pruritus, myalgia, sleep disturbance, and cough and sputum production. Following alleviation of these initial symptoms, late symptoms, such as easy fatigue, insomnia, bad dreams, and anxiety disorder, began to manifest in 10 out of 18 patients. Seven workers underwent psychiatric care owing to sleep disturbance, anxiety disorder, and depression, and three workers underwent dermatologic treatment for hyperpigmentation, erythematous skin eruption, and chloracne-like skin lesions. Furthermore, three workers developed a coarse jerky movement, two had swan neck deformity of the fingers, and two received care at an anesthesiology clinic for paresthesia, such as burning sensation, cold sensation, and pain. Two workers underwent urologic treatment for dysfunction of the urologic system and impotence. However, symptomatic treatment did not result in satisfactory relief of these symptoms. Conclusion Awareness of the perils of mercury and prevention of mercury exposure are critical for preventing health hazards caused by mercury vapor. Chelation therapy should be performed promptly following mercury poisoning to minimize damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sang Yoon Do
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, 365 Pilmun-daero Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453 South Korea
| | - Chul Gab Lee
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, 365 Pilmun-daero Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453 South Korea
| | - Jae Yoon Kim
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, 365 Pilmun-daero Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453 South Korea
| | - Young Hoon Moon
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, 365 Pilmun-daero Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453 South Korea
| | - Min Sung Kim
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, 365 Pilmun-daero Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453 South Korea
| | - In Ho Bae
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, 365 Pilmun-daero Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453 South Korea
| | - Han Soo Song
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, 365 Pilmun-daero Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453 South Korea
| |
Collapse
|