Absorption and Excretion of Mercury in Man

Abstract

A series of tests were performed to examine the value of blood mercury determinations in predicting toxic manifestations under conditions of occupational exposure to certain mercury compounds. Human subjects working in factories which process a variety of inorganic and organic compounds of mercury formed the basis of this study. Chemical analyses of blood samples were done by the method of Jacobs and statistical analysis of the data was done by the rank correlation method of Spearman. Results indicate that no statistically significant correlation was found between duration of employment and blood mercury levels. It must be pointed out, however, that this may not apply to all situations but only to those in the present study. Even if mercury levels in the blood do not increase with prolonged exposure, it cannot be concluded that there has been no accumultion of mercury in the body.