Immunological effects of mercury (IUPAC Technical Report)

Schwenk, Michael; Klein, Reinhild; Templeton, Douglas M.

doi:10.1351/pac-rep-08-04-02

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 115 publications

(141 reference statements)

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“…Mercury exposure is associated with a wide range of adverse human health effects, including neurological, cardiac, motor, reproductive, genetic, renal, and immunological conditions [25,26,27,28,29,30,31]. Exposure to elemental mercury vapors can result in tremors, a decrease in memory performance, and a decrease in autonomic nervous system functioning [32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Levels in Human Hair and Farmed Fish near Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities in the Madre de Dios River Basin, Peru

Langeland

Hardin

Neitzel

2017

IJERPH

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Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has been an important source of income for communities in the Madre de Dios River Basin in Peru for hundreds of years. However, in recent decades, the scale of ASGM activities in the region has increased dramatically, and exposures to a variety of occupational and environmental hazards related to ASGM, including mercury, are becoming more widespread. The aims of our study were to: (1) examine patterns in the total hair mercury level of human participants in several communities in the region and compare these results to the 2.2 µg/g total hair mercury level equivalent to the World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee of Food Additives (JECFA)’s Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI); and (2), to measure the mercury levels of paco (Piaractus brachypomus) fish raised in local aquaculture ponds, in order to compare these levels to the EPA Fish Tissue Residue Criterion of 0.3 µg Hg/g fish (wet weight). We collected hair samples from 80 participants in four communities (one control and three where ASGM activities occurred) in the region, and collected 111 samples from fish raised in 24 local aquaculture farms. We then analyzed the samples for total mercury. Total mercury levels in hair were statistically significantly higher in the mining communities than in the control community, and increased with increasing geodesic distance from the Madre de Dios headwaters, did not differ by sex, and frequently exceeded the reference level. Regression analyses indicated that higher hair mercury levels were associated with residence in ASGM communities. The analysis of paco fish samples found no samples that exceeded the EPA tissue residue criterion. Collectively, these results align with other recent studies showing that ASGM activities are associated with elevated human mercury exposure. The fish farmed through the relatively new process of aquaculture in ASGM areas appeared to have little potential to contribute to human mercury exposure. More research is needed on human health risks associated with ASGM to discern occupational, residential, and nutritional exposure, especially through tracking temporal changes in mercury levels as fish ponds age, and assessing levels in different farmed fish species. Additionally, research is needed to definitively determine that elevated mercury levels in humans and fish result from the elemental mercury from mining, rather than from a different source, such as the mercury released from soil erosion during deforestation events from mining or other activities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Levels in Human Hair and Farmed Fish near Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities in the Madre de Dios River Basin, Peru

Langeland

Hardin

Neitzel

2017

IJERPH

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“…In contrast, zinccontaining amalgams are more cytotoxic due to easy release of Zn ions. The toxic effects of mercury are believed to be due to the high reactivity of mercury species toward thiolgroups and other functional groups, notably in proteins 27 . It has been shown that both organic and inorganic mercury induce apoptosis of different cells including human lymphocytes 27,28 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anti-inflammatory effect of amalgam on periapical lesion cells in culture

Eraković

Duka

Bekić³

et al. 2021

VOJNOSANIT PREGL

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Background/Aim. Amalgam has been used for years in dentistry, but controversy on its adverse effects both on local oral / dental tissues and systemic health still exists. When used for retrograde filling in apical surgery, amalgam comes in close contact with periapical tissue and sometimes is responsible for induction of periapical lesion (PL) or its exacerbation. Therefore, our aim was to examine the effect of amalgam on cytotoxicity and production of pro-inflammatory cytokine by cells isolated from PL. Methods. Conditioned medium from freshly prepared amalgam (ACM) was performed according to ISO 10993-12, by incubating the alloy in RPMI medium (0.2g/ml) for 3 days at 37 o C. Cells were isolated from 20 human PLs after apicotomy by collagenase/DNA-ase digestion and cultured with different dilutions of ACM. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT (n=7 cultures) and apoptosis/necrosis assays (n=8 cultures), whereas cytokine production was measured by a Flow Cytomix Microbeads Assay (n= 8 cultures). Results. Undiluted (100%) and 75% ACM was cytotoxic due to induction of apoptosis of PL cells. Noncytotoxic concentrations of ACM (50% and 25%) inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8), concentration dependently. Conclusion. Our results showed for the first time an unexpected anti-inflammatory property of amalgam on PL cells, which could be beneficial for PL healing after apicotomy.

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“…The different forms of mercury are highly toxic at relatively low dosages and can produce varying health effects [ 3 , 20 ]. Toxicity of mercury substances arises mainly from destructive bonding to thiol (-SH), contained in sulfhydryl and selenohydryl groups [ 21 ]. In addition, mercury bonds to phosphoryl, carboxyl, amide, and amine groups.…”

Section: Mercury Speciation and Toxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elemental, or metallic mercury, is unique in being the only metal element that is liquid at room temperature and highly volatile at relatively low temperatures. The main sources of metallic mercury for humans are dental amalgams and workplace exposures [ 1 , 2 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Section: Mercury Speciation and Toxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to its neutral, monoatomic charge, elemental mercury is lipid soluble and easily diffuses through the alveoli in the lungs and into the bloodstream, where it can be absorbed by numerous tissues. Elemental mercury easily crosses the blood-brain barrier [ 1 , 21 , 22 ] and cell membranes. While the brain and central nervous system are the primary targets of elemental mercury, depositions can also be found in the kidneys, myocardium, skeletal muscles, adrenals, liver, testes, pancreas, and other organs, which contributes to local and systemic dysfunction [ 1 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Section: Mercury Speciation and Toxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sources and Toxicity of Mercury in the San Francisco Bay Area, Spanning California and Beyond

Kolipinski

Subramanian

Kristen

et al. 2020

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

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This report synthesizes and evaluates published scientific literature on the environmental occurrence and biomagnification of mercury with emphasis on the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA), California. Mercury forms various compounds, well known for their toxicity in humans and environmental ecosystems. Elemental mercury is transported and distributed by air, water, and sediments. Through the metabolic processes of algae and bacteria, mercury is converted into organic compounds, such as methylmercury (MeHg), which then bioaccumulates up through trophic levels. In fish, it is found primarily in skeletal muscle, while in humans, the primary target organs are the brain and kidneys. Health concerns exist regarding bioaccumulation of mercury in humans. This paper reviews the known anthropogenic sources of mercury contamination, including atmospheric deposition through aerial transport from coal burning power plants, cement production, and residual contaminants of mercury from gold mining, as well as mercury-containing waste from silver amalgams emitted from dental offices into waterways. Although tools exist for measuring mercury levels in hair, breast milk, urine, blood, and feces in humans, current diagnostic tools are inadequate in measuring total mercury load, including deposited mercury in tissues. Additionally, insufficient attention is being paid to potential synergistic impacts of mercury interaction with multipliers such as lead, cadmium, and aluminum. We provide specific data on methylmercury concentrations at different trophic levels, followed by recommendations for reducing the level of mercury in the SFBA in order to protect the health of humans and other species.

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Immunological effects of mercury (IUPAC Technical Report)

Cited by 17 publications

References 115 publications

Mercury Levels in Human Hair and Farmed Fish near Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities in the Madre de Dios River Basin, Peru

Mercury Levels in Human Hair and Farmed Fish near Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities in the Madre de Dios River Basin, Peru

Anti-inflammatory effect of amalgam on periapical lesion cells in culture

Sources and Toxicity of Mercury in the San Francisco Bay Area, Spanning California and Beyond

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