Mercury exposures and symptoms in smelting workers of artisanal mercury mines in Wuchuan, Guizhou, China

Mercury exposures to smelting workers of artisanal mercury mines in Wuchuan, Guizhou, China were evaluated by urine and hair mercury survey. The mean urinary mercury (U-Hg), hair total mercury (T-Hg), and hair methyl mercury (Me-Hg) for smelting workers was 1060 μg/g creatinine (μg/g Cr), 69.3 and 2.32 μg/g, respectively. The results were significantly higher than that of control group, which is 1.30 μg/g Cr, 0.78 and 0.65 μg/g, correspondingly. The average urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) was 248 μg/g Cr for the exposed group contrasting to 73.5 μg/g Cr for the control group and the data showed a serious adverse effect on renal system for the smelting workers. The workers were exposed to mercury vapor through inhalation, and the exposure route of Me-Hg may be through intake of polluted diet. The results indicate that age, alcohol drinking, and smoking are not crucial factors controlling the urine and hair mercury levels for the exposed and the control group. Clinical symptoms including finger and eyelid tremor, gingivitis, and typical dark-line on gums were observed in six workers. This study indicated that the smelting workers in Wuchuan were seriously exposed to mercury vapor.