Author/Editor		Byrne, AR; Škreblin, M; Falnoga, I; Al-Sabti, K; Stegnar, P; Horvat, M
Title		Mercury and selenium: perspectives from Idrija
Type		članek
Source		Acta Chim Slov
Vol. and No.		Letnik 42, št. 2
Publication year		1995
Volume		str. 175-98
Language		eng
Abstract		In view of revived interest in the toxic effects of mercury vapour, particularly from dental amalgam, some studies on exposed humans and animals and the interaction of mercury with selenium are reviewed. Results on the coaccumulation of mercury and selenium in the thyroid, pituitary, brain and kidney of mercurity miners from Idrija are collated and updated, and compared to similar data from other laboratories. Some other local studies relevant to the toxicity of mercury vapour and its interrelation withselenium are described. These include research on rats exposed in the mercury mine, where the kinetics of absorption and excretion of mercury, its modelling, and the behaviour of endogenus selenium and copper were followed. Another study describes work on speciation in blood compartments, cord blood and placenta of mothers in groups of fish eaters and non-fish eaters, and the absence in the latter group of a correlation between mercury levels and the number of amalgam fillings. Thus finding is discussed in relation to literature data. The possible mutagenic effect of mercury vapour was studied by examining chromosomal aberrations in Idrija miners and comparative groups. It was shown in an in vitro study of micronucleus induction by Hg++ and MeHg in binucleated blocked fish erythrocyte cells that selenium gave protection against this type of chromosomal damage induced by mercury. The opportunities for further epidemiological studies on the population of Idrija, who have an order of magnitude increased Hg levels, is stressed.
Descriptors		MERCURY SELENIUM DENTAL AMALGAM BRAIN KIDNEY SLOVENIA NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS RATS PREGNANCY SEAFOOD MERCURY METHYLMERCURY COMPOUNDS PLACENTA MUTAGENESIS AIR POLLUTION