A small dose of ethanol increases the exhalation of mercury in low-level-exposed humans.
Inorganic mercury is mainly eliminated by urinary and fecal excretion, but it is also eliminated by exhalation and sweat. There are only a few reports on exhalation of mercury in humans. In volunteers with short-term mercury exposure, an increased exhalation of mercury was found after alcohol intake. The aim of this study was to determine mercury in end-exhaled air and the influence of ethanol on mercury exhalation in subjects with long-term mercury exposure from diet, amalgam fillings, or the work environment. Fourteen subjects, with different grades of mercury exposure, were given 0.2 g ethanol/kg body weight. Measurements of mercury in end-exhaled air were performed before and after alcohol intake. Mercury in end-exhaled air could be detected in all subjects. In 10 individuals without amalgam fillings the mercury concentration was 3 to 12 pg/L. A marked increase, in general about fivefold, in mercury concentrations in end-exhaled air was seen in all subjects 30 min after intake of alcohol, regardless of the level of mercury exposure. Higher ethanol doses resulted in higher mercury levels in end-exhaled air and longer time periods before a return to background levels. An increase was seen even after an ethanol dose of only 0.1 g ethanol/kg body weight (about 0.08 L wine). The decrease in exhaled mercury at higher alcohol doses followed approximately zero-order kinetics and probably reflects the elimination of ethanol in tissues. In conclusion, low levels of mercury can be detected in end-exhaled air also in individuals without amalgam fillings. About a fivefold increase was seen 30 min after alcohol intake, and the relative increase seemed to be independent of the body burden of mercury. Exhalation of mercury represents only a small percentage of the total elimination of mercury.
Sällsten
G
G
Department of Occupational Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. gerd.sallsten@ymk.gu.se
Kreku
S
S
Unosson
H
H
D000328:Adult; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D012119:Respiration; D014920:Wine
D000431:Ethanol; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury