Review article
Occupational mercury poisoning
T. Beritić
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja Jugoslavenske Akademije znanosti i umjetnosti, Zagreb
Abstract
The significance of occupational mercury poisoning is emphasized in connection with the problems of industrial hygiene in general and with the conditions in this country and the work of this Institute in particular. Brief historical data on occupational mercurialism are presented. The sources of industrial mercury exposure are listed with special regard to physical properties of mercury vapors; the hazards of work with metallic mercury, amalgams and various inorganic compounds are described. The toxicity of organic mercury compounds in manufacture and use of seed dressings is stressed. The routes of absorption, the fate in the body, the toxicological significance of mercury concentrations in various organs and the routes of excretion are reviewed. The possibilities of acute industrial mercury poisoning, especially after exposure in works involving the use of heated mercury are pointed out and the oral syndrome, as an outstanding clinical feature of such poisonings, is described. The significance of Atkinson's reflex of the lens as a sign of chronic exposure or/and· poisoning by mercury and the lack of evidence of the existence of mercury line of the gums are discussed. A description of clinical picture of chronic poisoning as consisting of two syndromes, the less marked oral and the more marked neuropsychic syndrome is given and supported by own observations; tremor and erethism contributing in various proportions form neuropsychic syndrome of mercury poisoining. Injury of central nervous system and skin lesions caused by alkyl mercury compounds are reviewed as well as some other rare conditions said to be due to occupational exposure to mercury. The evaluation of laboratory findings, particularly the excretion of mercury in the urine is given. The methods of prevention are cited.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
183835
URI
Publication date:
19.12.1957.
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