The importance of mercury determination and speciation to the health of the general population

Abstract

It is well known that the toxicokinetics (i.e. absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) of mercury
 is highly dependent on the form of mercury to which a receptor has been exposed. The aim of this
 paper is to summarize the available health effects information for mercury and mercury compounds in
 the international scientific literature (1940-2003) and to point to the need for increased Hg control of
 water and food, including mercury speciation, especially in Mediterranean countries.

Environmental and occupational exposure among cancer patients in Mato Grosso, Brazil

“…Cruz et al 18 , in a review study on the influence of heavy metals on cancer clinical involvement, mention lung, skin, ovary, breast, stomach, brain, and larynx as related to the exposure to heavy metals. In addition, mercury, particularly and regularly used in the extraction of gold in Mato Grosso, by its absorption, mainly in the form of vapor via the inhalation route, is widely cited as causing several organic effects, including chromosomal anomalies and cancer 19 .…”

Exposição ambiental e ocupacional entre pacientes com câncer em Mato Grosso

“…Cruz et al 18 , em estudo de revisão sobre a influência dos metais pesados no acometimento do câncer, citam os de pulmão, pele, ovário, mama, estômago, cérebro e laringe como relacionados à exposição aos metais pesados. Além disso, o mercúrio, em especial, bastante utilizado na extração do ouro em Mato Grosso, através da sua absorção, principalmente na forma de vapor pela via inalatória, é bastante citado como causador de diversos efeitos orgânicos, entre eles, anomalias cromossômicas e câncer 19 .…”