Biomarkers of Mercury Exposure at a Mercury Recycling Facility in Ukraine

Abstract

This study evaluates biomarkers of occupational mercury exposure among workers at a mercury recycling operation in Gorlovka, Ukraine. The 29 study participants were divided into three occupational categories for analysis: (1) those who worked in the mercury recycling operation (Group A, n = 8), (2) those who worked at the facility but not in the yard where the recycling was done (Group B, n = 14), and (3) those who did not work at the facility (Group C, n = 7). Urine, blood, hair, and nail samples were collected from the participants, and a questionnaire was administered to obtain data on age, gender, occupational history, smoking, alcohol consumption, fish consumption, tattoos, dental amalgams, home heating system, education, source of drinking water, and family employment in the former mercury mine/smelter located on the site of the recycling facility. Each factor was tested in a univariate regression with total mercury in urine, blood, hair, and nails. Median biomarker concentrations were 4.04 μg/g-Cr (urine), 2.58 μg/L (blood), 3.95 μg/g (hair), and 1.16 μg/g (nails). Occupational category was significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with both blood and urinary mercury concentrations but not with hair or nail mercury. Four individuals had urinary mercury concentrations in a range previously found to be associated with subtle neurological and subjective symptoms (e.g., fatigue, loss of appetite, irritability), and one worker had a urinary mercury concentration in a range associated with a high probability of neurological effects and proteinuria. Comparison of results by occupational category found that workers directly involved with the recycling operation had the highest blood and urinary mercury levels. Those who worked at the facility but were not directly involved with the recycling operation had higher levels than those who did not work at the facility.

Keywords:

• blood mercury
• hair mercury
• mercury recycling
• nail mercury
• occupational mercury
• urinary mercury

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The study team thanks M.I. Hanin, the director, and N.P. Nikitin, technical director, of the Nikitrtut Combine Recycling Facility for their hospitality, their helpful responses to questions, and allowing the study team access to the facility. The team gratefully acknowledges the assistance provided by the local hospital and the public health department in providing personnel to assist in the drawing of blood samples and administration of questionnaires. Finally, the team thanks the study participants. Without their cooperation, the study could not have been possible.

Funding was provided by the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation, Arlington, Virginia. The authors report no conflict of interest in the conduct or reporting of this research.

Notes

^A Level 2 refers to “moderate” concentration of mercury as defined by UTAK.

^B Level 3 refers to “elevated” concentration of mercury as defined by UTAK.