Mercury Determination in Whole Blood Samples by Human Atomic Absorption (AA)

The likelihood of exposure to mercury in our environment is considerable. For example, mercury is used as a transmitter in many electrical outlets. Thermostats in old houses contain elemental mercury. Mercury is widely used in paper pulp and paper industry as whitening; waste liquids from paper mills are known mercury sources. It is used as a catalyst in the plastic synthesis in mercury production industry and is a strong fungicide and is frequently found in latex paints and anti-pollution paints. There are trace amounts of mercury in sea products. The amount of mercury in commercially sold, food-safe fish is less than 0.3 μg / g. However, some game fish contain more than 2 μg / g of mercury and if they are fed regularly, they may cause mercury accumulation in the body. Mercury teeth account for more than 50% of the amalgam mass. The largest source of mercury in nature is leaks from granite rocks; this resource is responsible for 50% of the accumulation of mercury in nature.

The amount of mercury in the blood and urine correlates with the degree of toxicity. Normal whole blood mercury level is usually less than 10 μg / L. Mercury levels up to 15 μg / L are routinely determined in individuals who are exposed to mercury in moderate quantities due to their profession. If the whole blood mercury level is higher than 50 μg / L, it indicates significant exposure. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), daily urine excretion is higher than 50 μg.