Mercury and selenium distribution in a defined area and in its population

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1976.10667211· OSTI ID:6185874

Cigna Rossi, L; Clemente, G F; Santaroni, G

In the Amiata Mountain area of Tuscany, Italy, a survey has examined the concentration of mercury and selenium in the environment, in the food chain, and in human biological samples of blood, urine, and hair. This area was selected for study because of its large mineral deposits and concentration of elements, e.g., iron, copper, silver, antimony, and particularly mercury. Subjects consisted of a group with high occupational exposure to mercury vapor, a group randomly exposed to mercury dust, and a group nonoccupationally exposed to mercury. The selenium and mercury contents in all samples were determined by nondestructive neutron activation analysis, and results showed that the human metabolism of mercury is different from that of selenium and that the selenium retention in man could be influenced by the mercury intake. Furthermore, a great part of selenium introduced through the diet passes into the blood, where it is mainly associated with blood cells.

• Research Organization: CNEN-CSN Casaccia, Rome, Italy
• OSTI ID: 6185874
• Journal Information: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 31:3; ISSN AEHLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BUILDUP
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EUROPE
FOOD CHAINS
HAIR
ITALY
MAMMALS
MAN
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
MERCURY
METALS
ORGANS
PRIMATES
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SKIN
UPTAKE
URINE
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
WESTERN EUROPE