Open AccessMinor effects of low exposure to inorganic mercury on the human immune system.
Author(s) -
Sven Langworth,
Carl Gustaf Elinder,
Sundqvist Kg
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of work, environment and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.621
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1795-990X
pISSN - 0355-3140
DOI - 10.5271/sjweh.1454
Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , immune system , urine , tumor necrosis factor alpha , cytokine , immunology , physiology , chemistry , medicine , computer science , programming language
The influence of exposure to inorganic mercury on the immune system was examined in 36 workers occupationally exposed to mercury vapor, 14 individuals with skin hypersensitivity to mercury compounds, 21 subjects with health disturbances allegedly caused by dental amalgam fillings ("amalgam disease"), and 39 healthy referents. Concentrations of mercury in blood and urine and some parameters judged to mirror different effects on the immune system were determined. The latter included, white blood cell differential counts, serum immunoglobulins and autoantibodies, and in vitro production of the cytokines interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). Virtually all of the immunologic parameters were within normal ranges and did not differ significantly between the groups. In the group sensitized to mercury, there was a reduction of the in vitro production of both TNF alpha and IL-1 compared with the reference group's values. No significant correlations were noted between different mercury exposure estimates and the immunologic parameters.