FORMATION OF RISKS FOR A HEALTH DISASTER IN WORKERS, EXPOSED TO MERCURY

Abstract

Introduction. Modern technologies make it possible to significantly reduce the mercury content in the air of the working zone at enterprises with mercury electrolysis. Under these conditions, it is of interest to assess the risks of health disorders, taking into account exposure to mercury loads to justify the etiological role of mercury in the formation of health problems in workers. Material and methods. The studies included the evaluation of the mercury content in the air of the working area for a long period, the assessment of the health of workers on the results of medical examinations and quantitative assessment of the risks of the main general pathological syndromes. Exposure loads of mercury were calculated on the basis of the author’s guidelines and normative-methodical documents. Results. In mercury electrolysis shops significant mercury concentrations (up to 8-20 MACs) were recorded in the period from 1987 to 1992 with the exception of mercury from the technological process, its concentrations do not exceed the hygienic standard. However, in these conditions, the workers were found to have high levels of health risks and morbidity, especially from the neuropsychic sphere, as well as statistically significant relationships between morbidity rates and exposure values of mercury loads. Discussion. In our study, with significantly reduced exposure to mercury, workers remain to be at risk of functional neurological disorders, as well as diseases of the nervous system and mental disorders. Despite the contradictory literature data on the development of neuropsychic effects of mercury in time, in our study, the etiological role of mercury in workers’ health is confirmed by the identification of correlations between the indices of health disorders of the nervous and mental sphere and the duration of work in the occupation, as well as the values of exposure loads by the toxicant. Conclusion. The study made it possible to relate the identified changes in the health status of workers with the accumulated exposure to mercury, as well as to recommend the use of indices of the exposure to chemical loads to justify the relationship of morbidity with the occupation.