Toxic effects of chronic occupational mercury vapor exposure on female workers of childbearing age.

Abstract

Background: Few studies have been conducted on women of childbearing age with chronic mercury poisoning caused by mercury vapor exposure.

Methods: Occupational exposure, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory tests, auxiliary examinations, treatment, and follow-up of 31 female workers with chronic mercury poisoning from a mercury thermometer processing factory who received inpatient treatment at our hospital between September 2021 and August 2022 were analyzed.

Results: In 31 female workers of childbearing age (23-43 years) who were chronically exposed to mercury vapor (3-31 months), urinary mercury levels exceeded the normal range. The clinical manifestations were primarily neurological (96.77%). Renal pathology of the two female workers suggested membranous nephropathy in the first stage. Some female workers experienced menstrual abnormalities, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Treatment was mainly chelation therapy supplemented with antioxidants and other symptomatic supportive treatments. All patients achieved good results after discontinuing exposure to mercury vapor and receiving treatment. However, follow-up after discharge revealed that some female workers still had insomnia.

Conclusions: Occupational mercury vapor exposure is hazardous to female workers of childbearing age and increases the risk of adverse effects on their reproductive health. Occupational protection and prevention of mercury exposure in female workers of reproductive age must be emphasized.