Mercury levels in human brain, skeletal muscle and body fluids

Abstract

Neutron activation analysis was employed to quantitate the levels of mercury (Hg) in human tissue and body fluids. Statistical analysis revealed: 1. a. No significant differences (P > .05) in Hg levels among the members of each of the following groupings: (i) adult (15–91 years) and sub-adult (neonate through 14 years) frontal and cerebellar cortex, medulla, pons, midbrain, and adult thalamus. (ii) sub-adult thalamus, adult and sub-adult callosal white matter and angular and supramarginal gyri. (iii) the RBCs, plasma and urine obtained from apparently healthy volunteers. Also, there was no correlation among the Hg levels of the RBCs, plasma and urine of any single individual. 2. b. A significantly higher (P < .001) Hg level in the tissues listed in a.i. above compared to the tissues/ body fluids of a.ii and a.iii. 3. c. A significantly higher (P < .001) Hg level in the tissues listed in a.ii compared to the tissues/body fluids of a.iii. 4. d. A significantly higher Hg level in the adult gastrocnemius muscle and corpus striatum compared to the tissue/body fluids listed in a.ii (P < .01) and a.iii (P < .001); but a significantly lower Hg level (P < .01) in muscle and striatum compared to the tissues listed in a.i. 5. e. A significant positive effect of age on thalamic Hg levels (adult > sub-adult: P < .001); but, in general, no influence of age, weight, height, sex, race, national origin, occupation, regligion, cause of death and tissue handling parameters on Hg levels.