Reversible color vision loss in occupational exposure to metallic mercury.
Color vision was evaluated in twenty-one mercury exposed workers and referents matched for sex, age, tobacco smoking, and alcohol habits. The Lanthony 15 Hue desaturated panel (D-15 d) was applied. In the workers, mean urinary Hg (HgU) was 115+/-61.5 microg/g creatinine; in all but one the values exceeded the biological limit (BEI) proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. A dose-related subclinical color vision impairment was observed in Hg-exposed workers compared to the referents. Just after the survey, working conditions were improved. Twelve months later the workers were reexamined. Mean HgU was 10.0 microg/g creatinine and in no subjects was the BEI exceeded. Color perception was significantly improved compared to the first examination and, furthermore, no differences were observed between exposed workers and referents. The results add evidence that the color vision loss observed during the first part of the study was related to Hg exposure and, moreover, show that this effect is reversible. These data indicate that metallic Hg can induce a reversible impairment in color perception. This suggests that color vision testing should be included in studies on the early effects of Hg. The possibility of applying the D-15 d as an early effect index in the biological monitoring of Hg exposed workers should also be entertained.
Cavalleri
A
A
Sezione di Medicina Preventiva dei Lavoratori, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Gobba
F
F
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003118:Color Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D003119:Color Perception Tests; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000652:urine; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D015354:Vision, Low; D014792:Visual Acuity
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D008628:Mercury