Health Effects Associated With Long-Term Occupational Exposure of Employees of a Chlor-Alkali Plant to Mercury

• Autorzy: Neghab M. , Norouzi M. A. , Choobineh A. , Kardaniyan M.R. , Zadeh J. H.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

This study aimed to evaluate possible health effects associated with long-term occupational exposure to low levels of mercury vapors. Forty-six subjects exposed to mercury and 65 healthy unexposed employees were studied. The subjects were administered a questionnaire on experienced symptoms and underwent clinical examinations as well as routine biochemical tests. Atmospheric and urinary concentrations of mercury were measured, too. Environmental concentrations of mercury were estimated to be 3.97 ± 6.28 μg/m3 and urinary concentrations of mercury in exposed and referent groups were 34.30 ± 26.77 and 10.15 ± 3.82 μg/dm3, respectively. Additionally, symptoms such as somatic fatigue, anorexia, loss of memory, erethism, blurred vision and teeth problems were significantly more common among exposed individuals. These observations indicate that occupational exposure to mercury vapors, even at low levels, is likely to be associated with neurological and psychological symptoms.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

chlor-alkali plant; mercury exposure; neurological symptoms; psychological symptoms

• Wydawca: Taylor & Francis
• Czasopismo: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
• Rocznik: 2012
• Tom: Vol. 18, No. 1
• Strony: 97--106
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 31 poz., tab.

Twórcy

autor

Neghab M.

• School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

autor

Norouzi M. A.

• School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

autor

Choobineh A.

• Research Center for Health Science, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

autor

Kardaniyan M.R.

• Medical and Health Organization, National Iranian Oil Company, Shiraz, Iran

autor

Zadeh J. H.

• School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

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