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Document ID (ISN)108255
CIS number 08-651
ISSN - Serial title 0340-0131 - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
Year 2007
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Iwata T., Sakamoto M., Feng X., Yoshida M., Liu Y.J., Dakeishi M., Li P., Qiu G., Jiang H., Nakamura M., Murata K.
Title Effects of mercury vapor exposure en neuromotor function in Chinese miners and smelters
Bibliographic information Apr. 2007, Vol.80, No.5, p.381-387. Illus. 41 ref.
Abstract Hand tremor and postural sway were measured in 27 miners and smelters in China occupationally exposed to mercury vapour and in 52 unexposed subjects. Urine samples were collected and total mercury and creatinine concentrations were determined. Data of the tremor and postural sway were analyzed using the fast Fourier transformation. The geometric means of the urinary mercury level (UHg) were 228µg/g creatinine for the exposed workers and 2.6µg/g creatinine for the unexposed subjects. Total tremor intensity and frequency-specific tremor intensities at 1-6 and 10-14Hz were significantly larger in the exposed workers than in the unexposed subjects, but they were not significantly related to the UHg among the exposed workers. In contrast, there were no significant differences in any postural sway parameters between the above two groups, but the transversal sway with eyes open was positively related to the UHg among the exposed workers.
Descriptors (primary) neurotoxic effects; hazard evaluation; mercury; China
Descriptors (secondary) tremor; creatinine; case-control study; sensorimotor activities; mining industry; determination in urine; smelting plants
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceChina; Japan
Subject(s) Metal production and metalworking
Mines and quarries
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Diseases of the nervous system
Mercury and compounds
Inorganic substances
Risk evaluation