Mercury and selenium distribution in a defined area and in its population. [Neutrons]

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1976.10667211· OSTI ID:7317452

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

In the Amiata Mountain area of Tuscany, Italy, a survey has examined the concentrations 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
• OSTI ID: 7317452
• 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)
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560306 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
AEROSOLS
AIR
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BIOMASS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BUILDUP
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COLLOIDS
DIET
DISPERSIONS
DUSTS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
EUROPE
FISHES
FLUIDS
FOOD
FOOD CHAINS
FRESH WATER
GASES
HAIR
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTAKE
ITALY
MAMMALS
MAN
MERCURY
METABOLISM
METALS
NATURAL OCCURRENCE
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
PLANTS
PRIMATES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SAMPLING
SEDIMENTS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SKIN
SOLS
URINE
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
WATER