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

Bibliographic Details
Title: Toxic effects of chronic occupational mercury vapor exposure on female workers of childbearing age
Authors: Yujie Pan, Kunlong Qu, Huiling Li, Yuguo Song
Source: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Vol 20, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2025)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Industrial medicine. Industrial hygiene
Subject Terms: Mercury vapor, Occupational exposure, Women of childbearing age, Reproductive health, Industrial medicine. Industrial hygiene, RC963-969
More Details: 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.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1745-6673
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1745-6673
DOI: 10.1186/s12995-025-00453-w
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/54f009c4da5a4fb89b558ec83f43dd1c
Accession Number: edsdoj.54f009c4da5a4fb89b558ec83f43dd1c
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:17456673
DOI:10.1186/s12995-025-00453-w
Published in:Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology
Language:English