• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.425-430
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between amalgam restorations and urinary mercury levels in children for 1 year. Amalgam restoration has been widely used for over 200 years. But released mercury from amalgam can increase the concentration of mercury in the body. Methods : The subjects were 463 elementary school children. Oral examination, urine sampling, and questionnaire survey were performed at baseline and after 1 year. Results : Amalgam restoration increased the urinary mercury level to $0.55{\pm}0.13{\mu}g/g$ creatinine. In the regression analysis, variation of urinary mercury excretion were positively associated with amalgam surfaces and fish consumption. Conclusions : Small amount of mercury release from amalgam restoration was closely associated with increasing urinary mercury level.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.90-98
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of urinary mercury and analyze which factors would affect urinary mercury concentration among dental hygienists in dental clinics. Methods: This study conducted by questionnaire and detection of urinary mercury concentration of 268 dental hygienists working in dental clinics from July to August of 2009. Data collected from two hundred and thirty-five dental hygienists were analyzed by the geometric mean (GM). Analytical results of urine samples with less than 0.3 g creatinine/L and greater than 3g creatinine/L were excluded from statistical analysis. Results: Urinary mercury concentration of 235 dental hygienists showed the geometric distribution. The arithmetic and geometric means of urinary mercury concentration were $0.996{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $0.755{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively. From multiple regression analysis, the number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Conclusions: The level of urinary mercury in dental hygienists was higher than in general Korean population. The number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Therefore using resin materials instead of amalgam in dental clinics is highly desirable.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.474-479
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• 1989

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of improvement in work environment and of segregation in a fluorescent lamp manufacturing factory. Among the total of 80 workers, 8 workers whose mercury concentration in urine reached a hazardous level ($200-299{\mu}g/l$) were moved to mercury free workplace. The follow-up examination for their mercury concentration in urine was done three times ; on May 3, 1988, September 1, 1988 and April 3, 1989. The results were as follows : 1. Mercury concentration in the air was reduced from 0.140 to 0.107 $mg/m^3$ in 4 months, and to $0.087mg/m^3$ in one year after environmental improvement in workplace. However the level still exceeded the Threshold Limit Value. 2. The geometric mean of urinary mercury concentration among 80 workers was $173.0{\mu}g/l\;(5.1{\sim}458.6{\mu}g/l$). The distribution of workers according to urinary mercury concentration showed that 9 workers (11.2%) were above the mercury poisoning level ($300{\mu}g/l$), 24 workers (30.0%) were $200-299{\mu}g/l$, 35 workers (43.8%) were $50-199{\mu}g/l$, and 12 workers (15.0%) were below 50 ${\mu}g/l$. 3. Among the 24 workers whose urinary mercury concentration was 200-299 $50-199{\mu}g/l$, 8 were able to be followed up. Their mean urinary mercury concentration before segregation was $244.9{\mu}g/l$, but decreased to $151.4{\mu}g/l$ in four months, $128.8{\mu}g/l$ in six months, and $46.8{\mu}g/l$ in one year after segregation.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.268-277
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• 2012

Objectives: 1) To determine mercury levels in urine samples from garbage workers in Southern Thailand, and 2) to describe the association between work characteristics, work positions, behavioral factors, and acute symptoms; and levels of mercury in urine samples. Methods: A case-control study was conducted by interviewing 60 workers in 5 hazardous-waste-management factories, and 60 matched non-exposed persons living in the same area of Southern Thailand. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. Results: The hazardous-waste workers' urinary mercury levels (10.07 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine) were significantly higher than the control group (1.33 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine) (p < 0.001). Work position, duration of work, personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal hygiene, were significantly associated with urinary mercury level (p < 0.001). The workers developed acute symptoms - of head-aches, nausea, chest tightness, fatigue, and loss of consciousness at least once a week - and those who developed symptoms had significantly higher urinary mercury levels than those who did not, at p < 0.05. A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included hours worked per day, days worked per week, duration of work (years), work position, use of PPE (mask, trousers, and gloves), and personal hygiene behavior (ate snacks or drank water at work, washed hands before lunch, and washed hands after work). Conclusion: Changing garbage workers' hygiene habits can reduce urinary mercury levels. Personal hygiene is important, and should be stressed in education programs. Employers should institute engineering controls to reduce urinary mercury levels among garbage workers.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.431-438
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was assessment of the variation of urinary mercury concentrations after removal of amalgam fillings in children. Methods : 10 elemental school children with amalgam filling tooth surfaces were took part in this study. One dentist recorded the number of amalgam filling surface, and general characteristics of subjects were surveyed by questionnaire. Each urine samples were collected before, immediately after and after 24 hours amalgam removal. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 18.0. Results : The mean concentration urinary mercury immediately after amalgam removal was higher ($5.70{\pm}1.20{\mu}g/g$ creatinine) than before amalgam removal ($5.28{\pm}1.53{\mu}g/g$ creatinine). The mean concentration urinary mercury level whose have 1-10 amalgam removal surfaces was increased after amalgam removal compared with before. Conclusions : Mercury concentration in urine was influenced by amalgam removal.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.401-407
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• 2005

Objectives : We wanted to investigate the relationship between heavy metal, especially lead and mercury, to the blood pressure and cholesterol level in children. Methods : This study was undertaken in three primary schools and the study subjects were a total of 274 children. The lead in the blood and the urine mercury were analyzed by performing atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results : All of participants' blood lead levels and urine mercury concentrations were below the suggested level of concern according to the criteria of the CDC and ATSDR. We found no significant correlation between lead, mercury and the blood pressure. The blood lead level did not show any relationship with the blood pressure and cholesterol. However, the urine mercury levels were associated with the serum cholesterol. Conclusion : Our study suggests that mercury can induce an increase of cholesterol as a risk factor of myocardial infraction and coronary/cardiovascular disease.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.20-22
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• 2004

Acute mercury inhalation poisoning is a rare cause of acute peripheral neuropathy. A 44-year-old female inhaled the fume from heating mercury to treat her palmar dermatitis. For 4 days, this procedure was done for 2-3 minutes after each meal. She subsequently complained flu like symptoms, such as headache, toothache, myalgia and arthralgia. She was admitted for 9 days and then symptoms disappeared. About 3 weeks after exposure, both knee pain developed and then she could not walk. To treat mercury intoxication, she was referred to our hospital. At that time, initial laboratory data were within normal limits, but blood and urinary mercury level were 5.6 11$\mu$g/dl, 132.8 $\mu$g/L. After treatment with D-penicillamine for 7 days, blood and urinary mercury level were 3.9 1$\mu$g/dl, 177.3 $\mu$g/L. During the following 1 month, both leg symptoms remained. Nerve conduction studies were performed, both leg sensory nerve amplitude decreased. These findings were suggestive of peripheral polyneuropathy.

• 한국안광학회지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.329-337
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• 2005

본 연구에서는 지역에 따른 어린이들의 색각이상 유병율을 보고자 했다. 연구대상자는 4개 지역의 3-6 학년 초등학생들을 대상으로 하였다. 혈중 납과 요중 수은은 원자흡광분석기로 측정을 하였으며, 모든 연구대상자들은 CDC와 ATSDR 권고기준 이하였다. 색각검사는 Lanthony D-15 desaturated panel test를 이용하였으며, 정량적 평가와 정성적 평가를 동시에 시행하였다. 연구결과 공단지역 어린이들은 다른 지역에 비해 높은 색혼돈지수와 유병율을 보였다. 환경오염노출과 관련해서는 혈중 납과 요중 수은과의 연관성은 찾을 수 없었다. 따라서 본 연구결과 공단지역 어린이들의 색각이상에는 다른 영향요인이 작용했을 것으로 본다.

• 환경생물
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.411-418
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• 2004

생태계는 수은의 화학적 형상 및 산업화에 따른 방출로 지속적이면서 다양하게 오염된다. 또한 수은은 화학적 여러 형태로 분류되며 쉽게 기화되는 성질로 인해 수은을 공정하는 과정에서 수많은 근로자들이 쉽게 급성 혹은 만성 중독이 될 수 있다. 그러나 수은의 유독성이 알려져 있기는 하나 생체가 환경에서 노출 가능한 저농도의 수은 영향에 대해서는 정확한 접근이 이루어지지 않고 있다. 따라서 본 실험은 이온화 방사선과 염화수은(II)의 영향을 비교해보고자 수행하였다. 미성숙의 웅성F344 흰쥐의 음용수에 염화수은을 녹여 실험기간 동안 음용시켰으며, 방사선 조사군의 경우는 6.5Gy의 감마선을 전신 조사하여 실험기간 동안 관찰하였다. 실험기간 동안의 체중의 변화량을 대조군과 비교 하였을 때, 염화수은을 처리한 군은 4.9% 증가를 보였으나, 감마선을 조사한 군에서는 14.4% 감소를 보였다. 혈액적 표지 인자들의 농도를 분석하여 각각 비교하였을 때, 염화수은을 처리하였을 때의 결과는 방사선을 전신조사한 것과는 확연히 다른 양상을 나타내었다. 반면 스트레스 호르몬으로 알려진 대표적인 부신피질 호르몬인 cortisol의 혈청내 농도는 대조군에 비해 두 실험군에서 모두 상승하였다. 각 외인성 인자에 의한 세포자연사 양상을 비교하고자 정소와 신장 조직에 대한 역전사중합반응을 실시하였다. Bax mRNA 분자의 발현은 두 실험군의 정소와 신장에서 모두 증가하였으나, Bcl-2 mRNA는 실험군에 따라 혹은 기관에 따라 다른 양상을 보였다. 본 실험의 결과 염화수은(II)은 주대상기관을 신장으로 하여 그 손상 기전은 이온화 방사선의 것과 구별되는 양상을 나타나는 것으로 확인하였다.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.59-72
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of heavy metal concentrations in the blood and urine of the general population. This research had been conducted from April to December 2008, studying 545 residents of Daejeon and Chungcheong Province. Through the concentrations of heavy metals(Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Mn) in the biota samples and questionnaires, the residents heavy metal exposure level and the influential factors according to personal characteristics or lifestyle were evaluated. As to the heavy metal concentration in the blood and urine of the comparing region, were As and Mn statistically significant(p<0.01, p<0.05). Blood lead and urinary mercury concentrations were higher in males than females. The heavy metal concentration for each age group increased blood mercury. The concentration of all heavy metals were higher in the drinkers than in the non-drinkers. Blood lead and mercury concentrations were higher in the smokers than in the non-smokers, but the urinary cadmium, arsenic and blood manganese was higher in the non-smokers than in the smokers. As to the blood lead and urinary cadmium concentration according to the food preference fish showed high concentration. To clarify the factors affecting the heavy metal concentration in biota among subjects multiple regression analysis was conducted. As a results, it turned out that as to lead content in blood, sex, age and smoking have influence on the subjects with explanatory adequacy of 14.0 %. These results demonstrated that the factors affected the concentrations of heavy metals in blood and urine. The results of this study could be used as the foundational data for setting the health risk assessment.