Comparison of hair, nails and urine for biological monitoring of low level inorganic mercury exposure in dental workers

摘要: Creatinine-corrected urine mercury measurements in spot samples are routinely used monitoring workers exposed to inorganic mercury. However, measurement other non-invasive biological material has been some epidemiological studies. Dentists and dental nurses remain a group of with potential exposure through their handling mercury-containing amalgam, although changes work practices have reduced the current, likely Therefore, an occupational cohort whom value using different media identify low level can be investigated. Samples head hair, pubic fingernails, toenails were analysed for content from UK dentists (n=167) socioeconomically similar reference population (n=68) any was primarily diet. The all significantly higher than control (p approximately equal toenails>pubic hair hair. Further investigation is warranted as why fingernails appear such good discriminator, possibly reflecting contribution direct finger contact amalgam or contaminated surfaces rather systemic incorporation into growing nails. Good correlation between levels subjects obtained (r=0.832), which improved when weighing <10 mg excluded (r=0.868). under these conditions described pre-analytical washing steps, there little influence atmospheric contamination on choice materials analysis depends number considerations. These include toxicokinetics urinary excretion, growth rates nail, nature time-frame exposure, fact that may not reflect body burden dietary methyl data this study suggests remains most practical sensitive means