Occupational and Environmental Exposure to Mercury among Iranian Hairdressers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the mercury concentrations in female hairdressers associated with occupational and environmental exposure through cosmetic products and amalgam fillings. Methods: Sixty-two hair and nail samples were collected randomly from Iranian hairdressers. Hg level determination was carried out using a LECO, AMA 254, Advanced Mercury Analyzer according to ASTM, standard No. D-6722. Results: The mean mercury levels were 1.15 ± 1.03 µg/g and 1.82 ± 1.12 µg/g in the hair and nail samples, respectively with a positive correlation among them (r=0.98). A significant relation was also observed between Hg levels and the number of amalgam fillings (p<0.001), use of cosmetics (p<0.001), and use of gloves (p=0.02). Conclusions:The Hg levels in about one-third of the studied samples were higher than the USEPA-recommended 1 µg/g, which represents a serious health risk. Hairdressers with continuous use of cosmetics and a high number of amalgam fillings had significantly elevated mercury concentrations in their hair and nails, suggesting the importance of mercury exposure assessment in hidden, less-explored sources of Hg in the workplace. (J Occup Health 2014; 56: 56-61) Key words: Cosmetic, Hair, Iranian hairdressers, Mercury, Nail, Occupational Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element that has long been used due to its many advantages from the physical and chemical points of view. The effect of mercury on different human groups (from occupa-

Mercury exposure and health risks associated with use of skin-lightening products: A systematic review

“…Total hair mercury levels across 183 skin-lightening product users in Japan, Indonesia, Tanzania and Iran ranged between 0 and 900 μg/g (Abbas et al, 2020; Fakour & Esmaili-Sari, 2014; Harada et al, 2001; Kanwal et al, 2019; Kinabo, 2005). We excluded participants from Iran (n=36) since mercury concentrations were not available as discrete values (Fakour & Esmaili-Sari, 2014). We used hair mercury reference value ranges of below 1 μg/g, between 1 to 5 μg/g and above 5 μg/g adopted by Abbas et al (2020) to organize biomarkers.…”

New Occupational Exposures with Respiratory Effects

“…Various bleaching products, dyes, and humidifiers used in the salons are potential sensitizers and irritants and can cause dermal allergic reactions 79,80 , which might often lead to respiratory ailments 81 . Several studies have demonstrated the prevalence of allergic conditions, such as dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma among hairdressers [80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89] . In a prospective cohort study, Nemer and colleagues 83 found excess 35 ml/year reduction of forced vital capacity (FVC), and of 31ml/year reduction of FEV 1 in current hairdressers compared to former ones.…”

“…One report suggested that ammonia could cause bleaching-associated rhinitis 88 , while another report suggested that ammonia could be associated with neutrophilic airway inflammation, higher exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels and higher blood C-reactive protein (CRP) level 84 . Another report also demonstrated the use of elemental mercury in beauty salons, thus, imposing a greater health risk on the workers 82 . Other chemicals such as methacrylate, can sometimes cause dermatitis and allergic skin reactions [95][96][97] .…”