Community mercury levels in the vicinity of peri-urban waste disposal sites and fossil fuel burning operations.
BACKGROUND
A study was conducted as a result of concern about mercury absorption amongst residents of a peri-urban area in Cape Town, South Africa, in close proximity to waste disposal sites and an industrial area.


METHODS
The study compared urine mercury concentrations in a random sample of adult residents and children in both the formal and informal housing settlements of the "exposure" area (n = 90) and a control area (n = 90). A short questionnaire elicited demographic, lifestyle and medical details and possible occupational, household and environmental mercury exposures.


RESULTS
The two samples were comparable with respect to background and potential confounding variables. The prevalence of urinary mercury levels>or=the WHO reference range in the exposure area was also higher than that in the control area (13% vs. 0%). The median urinary mercury concentrations in both study areas were below the World Health Organisation (WHO) reference level of 5.0 microg/g creatinine. The median level in the exposure area was slightly, but statistically significantly, higher than in the control area (1.1 vs. 0.25 microg/g creatinine), and the excess persisted after controlling for known possible mercury exposures.


CONCLUSIONS
This is to our knowledge the first study of community inorganic mercury absorption in a developing country setting, and where airborne mercury was the exposure of concern. It was concluded that the health risk associated with the urinary mercury levels of residents in the exposure area was very low. However, low level environmental exposure in the area of concern could not be excluded.
Dalvie
Mohamed A
MA
Occupational and Environmental Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa. aqiel@cormack.uct.ac.za
Ehrlich
Rodney
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003710:Demography; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005579:Fossil Fuels; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008019:Life Style; D008499:Medical Records; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005579:Fossil Fuels; D003404:Creatinine; D008628:Mercury