Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, MD, MPH¹, G Luber², H Schurz-Rogers², M Belson², Carol Rubin, DVM, MPH³, and Lorraine C. Backer, PhD, MPH³. (1) National Center for Environmental Health, Health Studies Branch, CDC, 4770 Bufford Hwy NE, MS F46, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-3412, EAzzizBaumgartner@cdc.gov, (2) unknown, unknown, atlanta, GA 30329, (3) National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, MS E23, Atlanta, GA 30333

Few studies have quantified exposure of children who have briefly handled elemental mercury. We quantified mercury exposure in children at a Nevada middle school shortly after decontamination following a 60-cc spill of elemental mercury. Air sampling found mercury levels above 50 ėg/m3 in some areas of the school (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry clean-up standard < 0.3 ėg/m3). We administered exposure questionnaires and obtained urine samples from 200/854 (23%) students, 63 (75%) of 84 teachers, and 17 first-responders. We compared participants’ urine mercury levels with levels of participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000. Using two-sample t-tests and regression models, we analyzed the associations between urine mercury levels and the questionnaires. The geometric mean of the mercury samples was 0.38 ėg/L (NHANES: 0.72 ėg/L). One student, who handled the mercury in the week before the spill, had an excessive level of mercury in his urine (>10 ėg/L). We found no significant association between mercury levels in the 39 participants who reported touching mercury and self-reported exposure at the school. Forty-three participants who reported touching mercury on any prior occasion had significantly higher urine mercury levels than those who denied ever touching mercury (geometric mean 0.46 ėg /L vs. 0.36 ėg /L, one-sided p < 0.04). Our results suggest that prolonged handling of elemental mercury may be associated with significant mercury exposure. Rapid identification of the elemental mercury spill followed by decontamination resulted in early termination of play and minimized exposure to elemental mercury.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Assess children’s exposure to mercury after they have briefly handled its elemental form.
• Differentiate between brief exposures to elemental mercury and other types of mercury exposures.

Keywords: Cost-Effectiveness,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.