Microenvironmental exposure to mercury vapor

Journal Article · Mon May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1978 · Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/0002889778507774· OSTI ID:6537587

Stopford, W; Bundy, S D; Goldwater, L J; Bittikofer, J A

Work area and breathing zone samples were collected in a factory utilizing metallic mercury and analyzed for mercury vapor content. Breathing zone samples averaged several fold higher in concentration than concurrent area samples, reflecting a ''microenvironmental'' exposure to mercury vapor, presumably from contaminated clothing and hands. Blood and corrected total urine mercury values correlated well with the average microenvironmental exposure level for each worker. Measurements of unbound mercury in urine samples were sensitive at picking up minimal exposures. Excessive amounts of unbound mercury were not found in the urine, even with wide day-to-day swings in microenvironmental mercury vapor levels, suggesting that the human body can adapt to a chronic, moderate exposure to mercury vapor.

• Research Organization: Duke Univ. Medical Center, Durham, NC
• OSTI ID: 6537587
• Journal Information: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States) Vol. 39:5; ISSN AIHAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BLOOD
BODY FLUIDS
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
CHRONIC INTAKE
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INHALATION
INTAKE
MEASURING METHODS
MEDICINE
MERCURY
METALS
MONITORING
PERSONNEL MONITORING
RADIATION MONITORING
SAMPLING
URINE
VAPORS
WASTES