Neuropsychological alterations in mercury intoxication persist several years after exposure

Abstract

Elemental mercury is a liquid toxic metal widely used in industry. Occupational exposure occurs mainly via inhalation. Previously, neuropsychological assessment detected deficits in former workers of a fluorescent lamp plant who had been exposed to elemental mercury vapor and were away from exposure for several years at the time of examination.ObjectivesThe purpose of this work was to reexamine these functions after 18 months in order to evaluate their progression.MethodsThirteen participants completed tests of attention, inhibitory control, verbal/visual memory, psychomotor speed, verbal fluency, visuomotor ability, executive function, semantic knowledge, and depression and anxiety inventories on 2 separate occasions.ResultsAt baseline, the former workers indicated slower psychomotor and information processing speed, verbal spontaneous recall memory impairment, and increased depression and anxiety symptoms compared to controls (P<0.05). Paired comparisons of neuropsychological functioning within the exposed group at baseline and 1.5 years later showed poorer immediate memory performance (P<0.05). There were no differences on other measures.ConclusionsAlthough the literature show signs of recovery of functions, the neuropsychological effects related to mercury exposure are found to persist for many years.

<b>Impact of exposure to low levels of mercury on the health of dental workers

“…Mood swings caused by Hg contamination had a significant effect on the life quality of dentists (Heyer et al, 2004). The neuropsychological effects related to mercury exposure persisted despite the recovery of functions has occurred (Zachi, Taub, Faria, & Ventura, 2008). Rojas and his coworkers observed the need to monitor the environmental mercury and conduct clinical evaluation and neurobehavioral tests to detect early effects on health of dental workers (Rojas et al, 2000).…”

Mercury Exposure and Its Health Effects in Workers in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Sector—A Systematic Review

“…The course of mercury poisoning can end lethal, depending on its severity [ 31 ]. Likewise, chronic exposure to elemental Hg vapour can trigger a multitude of symptoms, mainly neuro-psychological disorders, such as tremor or erethism [ 32 , 33 ], which may persist in a reduced intensity even after the end of the exposure [ 32 , 34 ]. Further typical symptoms include a dark discolouration of the gum, gingivitis and renal damage [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Análise de células bipolares PKCa-IR e células ganglionares da retina do peixe tropical Hoplias malabaricus intoxicado com baixas doses agudas de metilmercúrio

“…Estudos mostram que o mercúrio afeta principalmente o cerebelo (Igata, 1993;Castoldi et al, 2003;Fonnum & Lock, 2000;Warfvinge, 2000) e o sistema visual (Merigan 1979;Merigan et al, 1983;Castoldi et al, 2003;Mela et al, 2010;Tanan et al, 2006;Bonci et al, 2006;Barboni et al, 2008Barboni et al, , 2009Costa et al, 2008 a, b;Feitosa-Santana et al, 2007Canto-Pereira et al, 2005) além de efeitos neuropsicológicos (Zachi et al, 2008;Taub et al, 2006;Barboni et al, 2009).…”