The behaviour of T-cell subpopulations in the blood of workers exposed to mercury.
In 55 men with a history of exposure to mercury vapours, and 36 men without such exposure, the count of T-cells, helper T-cells, suppressor T-cells and NK-cells in peripheral blood was determined using monoclonal antibodies. The concentration of mercury in the urine of the exposed individuals was x = 54, S.D. = 45 micrograms xl-1, and in blood x = 4.7, S.D. = 7.2 micrograms xl-1. Occupational exposure to mercury induced changes in T-cell subpopulations in the peripheral blood, but was without effect on the number of NK-cells.
Moszczyński
P
P
Provincial Immunology Laboratory, Brzesko, Poland.
Slowiński
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002617:Chemical Industry; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D008628:Mercury