Mortality from cardiovascular diseases and exposure to inorganic mercury

Abstract

Objective-To study the mortality from cardiovascular and other chronic nonneoplastic diseases after long term exposure to inorganic mercury. Limited information is available on the eVect of chronic exposure to mercury on the cardiovascular system. Methods-The mortality was studied among 6784 male and 265 female workers from four mercury mines and mills in Spain, Slovenia, Italy, and the Ukraine. Workers were employed between 1900 and 1990; the follow up period lasted from the 1950s to the 1990s. The mortality of the workers was compared with national reference rates. Results-Among men, there was a slight increase in overall mortality (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.04 to 1.12). An increased mortality was found from hypertension (SMR 1.46, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.93), heart diseases other than ischaemic (SMR 1.36, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.53), pneumoconiosis (SMR 27.1, 95% CI 23.1 to 31.6), and nephritis and nephrosis (SMR 1.55, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.06). The increase in mortality from cardiovascular diseases was not consistent among countries. Mortality from hypertension and other heart diseases increased with estimated cumulative exposure to mercury; mortality from ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases increased with duration of employment, but not with estimated exposure to mercury. Results among women were hampered by few deaths. Conclusion-Despite limited quantitative data on exposure, possible confounding, and likely misclassification of disease, the study suggests a possible association between employment in mercury mining and refining and risk in some groups of cardiovascular diseases. (Occup Environ Med 2001;58:461-466)

The dependence between urinary mercury concentration and carotid arterial intima-media thickness in workers occupationally exposed to mercury vapour

“…An increased mortality (in comparison to national reference rates) from hypertension and heart diseases other than ischaemic was found. Mortality from hypertension was increased with estimated cumulative exposure to mercury; mortality from ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular events increased with duration of employment [13]. Also an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, especially due to hypertension or cerebrovascular pathology, was shown in a follow-up study in workers exposed to mercury in Minas de Almadény Arrayanes in Spain [14].…”

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against mercury(II)‐induced cardiovascular oxidative damage in rats

“…However, few data are available on the effect of mercury on heart and aorta tissues (Boffetta et al, 2001;Moreira et al, 2003). Inorganic mercury is conjugated with glutathione in the liver and secreted in the bile as a cysteine mercury or glutathione mercury complex (Boffetta et al, 2001). Numerous studies have demonstrated that Hg causes lipid peroxidation (Lund et al, 1991;Yonaha et al, 1980), DNA damage (Lund et al, 1991;Yonaha et al, 1980), porphyrinogen oxidation (Woods et al, 1990;Woods and Ellis, 1995) and depletion of reduced glutathione (Gstraunthaler et al, 1983;Sener et al, 2003), which support an oxidative stress-like mechanism for Hg(II) toxicity.…”

“…The toxicity of high doses of inorganic mercury on the central nervous system and urinary system has been known for decades (Patrick, 2002). However, few data are available on the effect of mercury on heart and aorta tissues (Boffetta et al, 2001;Moreira et al, 2003). Inorganic mercury is conjugated with glutathione in the liver and secreted in the bile as a cysteine mercury or glutathione mercury complex (Boffetta et al, 2001).…”

The Influence of Arsenic, Lead, and Mercury on the Development of Cardiovascular Diseases

“…e increase in death from hypertension was present only in Spain, and in Ukraine, whereas a decrease in the risk of this disease was found in the other countries. An increased mortality from cardiovascular diseases was apparent according to time since �rst exposure [87].…”