title: Occupational and environmental exposure to mercury among Iranian hairdressers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the mercury concentrations in female hairdressers associated with occupational and environmental exposure through cosmetic products and amalgam fillings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-two hair and nail samples were collected randomly from Iranian hairdressers. Hg level determination was carried out using a LECO, AMA 254, Advanced Mercury Analyzer according to ASTM, standard No. D-6722.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean mercury levels were 1.15 ± 1.03 ug/g and 1.82 ± 1.12 μg/g in the hair and nail samples, respectively with a positive correlation among them (r=0.98). A significant relation was also observed between Hg levels and the number of amalgam fillings (p<0.001), use of cosmetics (p<0.001), and use of gloves (p=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Hg levels in about one-third of the studied samples were higher than the USEPA-recommended 1 ug/g, which represents a serious health risk. Hairdressers with continuous use of cosmetics and a high number of amalgam fillings had significantly elevated mercury concentrations in their hair and nails, suggesting the importance of mercury exposure assessment in hidden, less-explored sources of Hg in the workplace.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University.
authors.forename: Hoda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fakour
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esmaili-Sari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001505:Beauty Culture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015415:Biomarkers; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D016014:Linear Models; D008397:Masks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D009262:Nails / Q000737:chemistry; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003358:Cosmetics; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury