Mercury vapor inhalation and its effect on glutathione peroxidase in goldsmiths exposed occupationally.
In the gold ornaments manufacturing cottage industries, the gold metal grain dust waste particles are recovered from mercury (Hg) amalgam. The results on air samples from these industries during the recovery process have shown a high prevalence of Hg vapor (42.7 mg/m(3)). The blood concentration of Hg is elevated (79.1 microg/L) among workers when their blood samples are tested. The Hg toxicity is reflected in the reduction of glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity in RBC (49.317 mg/L of RBC) when compared with the data from control subjects (68.536 mg/L of RBC). These values are statistically significant. This would suggest that the Hg poisoning in goldsmiths is due to exposure. The results are discussed with relation to preventive measures.
Jayaprakash
K
K
Department of Zoology, Chikkanna Government Arts College, Tirupur, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India. eswarijp@gmail.com
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D006046:Gold; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D008628:Mercury