228959 Long Term Effects on Health of Workers Exposed to Mercury

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Pedro González de la Flor, MD, PhD , Preventive Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
José Luis Navarro Espigares, PhD, Prof, Mgr , Economic Department, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
Jose Maria Jover Casas, MD , Preventive Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
José Aureliano Martín Segura, PhD, Prof , Department of Management, Granada University, Ceuta, Spain
Elisa Hernandez Torres , Management Control, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
Leticia Palma Zamora , University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
Mercury is a heavy metal and its presence in the human body is toxic at certain critical levels. It can cause acute, subacute, or chronic toxic effects to occur. The last form of toxicity is the most common in the workplace and is called hydrargyrism.

The aim of this study is to determine the long-term effects on the health of a group of workers exposed to mercury fumes in a chlorine factory.

We designed a follow-up prospective study cohort of workers exposed to mercury vapors. The monitoring period in all cases was greater than 20 years. Clinical protocol for the detection of health disorders, developed by the National Institute of Health and Hygiene at Work in Spain, was implemented.

The number of exposed workers was 55. In this group, 5 deaths occurred. We obtained information on the health status of 35 (70%) of the 50 workers still alive after 20 years of exposure. Mercury levels in the blood were found to be below risk thresholds. Regarding clinical status, the most frequent alterations were gastrointestinal disturbances, especially in the oral area, problems of the nervous system, and psychological conditions. The majority qualified for official work-related permanent disability.

Thus, we can conclude that chronic mercury poisoning produces a broad clinical situation, with long-term effects that are very lasting and incapacitating on the work and personal lives of those affected.

Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
- Design a follow up program for workers exposed to mercury poisoning - Identify health consequences for workers exposed to mercury poisoning

Keywords: Work-Related Fatalities, Risk Factors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I work as a doctor in Preventive Medicine in a Spanish public hospital. I collaborate regularly in the implementation of new management strategies and intervention programs.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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