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MERCURY 463
5. POTENTIAL FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE
Parental exposure can result in subsequent exposure to the developing child or embryo. Anttila and Sallmen
(1995) report some epidemiologic data suggesting that paternal exposure to mercury is associated with an
increase in spontaneous abortions. These authors also report that maternal exposure to mercury has not been
has not been associated with an increased risk of abortion. Lauwerys et al. (1987) reported a case of mercury
poisoning in a 3-month-old infant whose mother frequently used a skin lightening cream and soap containing
inorganic mercury during pregnancy and the 1-month lactation period following birth. Prenatal and early
postnatal exposure of infants to mercury from maternal use of these products is a source of particular
concern (Lauwerys et al. 1987).
Data from the National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) conducted by NIOSH from 1983 to 1986,
provides information on exposure to a variety of mercury compounds, with estimates of the total numbers of
workers and the total number of female workers potentially exposed. As presented in Table 5-19, an
estimated 50,468 women (33% of workers) were potentially exposed to mercury and various mercury
compounds in occupational settings during 1983–1986 (RTECS 1998). More current estimates are not
available for the number of women occupationally exposed to mercury in the United States or the percentage
of women of reproductive age that may become pregnant or may breast-feed their infants while continuing to
work in these occupational settings.
Mercury exposure also may result from the transport of mercury to a workers' home on contaminated
clothing and shoes (ATSDR 1990; Hudson et al. 1987; Zirschky 1990). Increased exposure to mercury has
been reported in children of workers who are occupationally exposed to the compound (Hudson et al. 1987).
Hudson et al. 1987 investigated the exposure to mercury of children of workers in a thermometer
manufacturing plant. These investigators reported that the median mercury concentrations in the homes was
0.25 µg/m 3 (range, 0.02–10 µg/m3 ), and the levels of mercury in the urine of the children averaged 25 µg/L
(ppb), about five times higher than that reported for the controls. While measurements of clothing
contamination were not made, the authors noted that elevated mercury concentrations were found in places
where work clothes were located and in some washing machines. The children at the highest risk are those
whose parents work in facilities that use mercury, but where no protective uniforms or footgear are used.
The mercury from these settings is thought to be transferred to the workers' homes on their clothing and
shoes. Danzinger and Possick (1973) reported that mercury particles became embedded in the clothing of
workers at a scientific glassware plant, especially in knitted fabrics. In an exposure study of families of
workers at a chloralkali plant in Charleston, Tennessee, mercury levels in the air of the workers' homes
averaged 0.92 µg/m 3 (ATSDR 1990). Although protective clothing was used, work gloves, clothes, and