Bartolucci G B, Boffetta P, Mantovani A, Chiesara E
Dipartimento di Medicina Ambientale e Sanità Pubblica, Medicina del Lavoro, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova.
Med Lav. 2002 May-Jun;93(3):290-8.
This paper reviews the studies, both in vivo and in vitro, carried out for the project on low-dose effects of inorganic mercury, financed by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Scientific and Technological Research.
RESULTS, COMMENTS AND PROPOSAL: The results offer both innovative aspects and potential practical applications. Particular attention is drawn to the reliability of biomarkers of exposure [mercury in urine (HgU) and blood (HgB), possibility of speciation] as well as to the availability of guidance values for risk assessment (reference value, action level, biological threshold value). In the general population, HgU and HgB levels are significantly related to the presence of dental amalgams and to fish consumption; nevertheless, such exposure levels do not elicit adverse health effects on renal, immune and nervous functions, according to the markers evaluated in the studies. The present biological threshold values for occupational exposure appear adequate to prevent health effects, considering the immune system, kidney and central nervous system as the target organs. However, possible effects of low doses of mercury on immune and neuroendocrine functions should be further examined; moreover, consideration should be given to the risk of consuming fish species with high Hg content, particularly concerning the renal and central nervous system effects. Finally, further studies should be planned on other potentially important effects, that could not be considered in this study, such as those on prenatal development, the cardiovascular system and the thyroid gland.
本文综述了由意大利大学与科学技术研究部资助的无机汞低剂量效应项目所开展的体内和体外研究。
结果、评论与建议：研究结果既有创新之处，也有潜在的实际应用价值。特别关注暴露生物标志物[尿汞（HgU）和血汞（HgB）、形态分析的可能性]的可靠性以及风险评估指导值（参考值、行动水平、生物阈值）的可用性。在普通人群中，HgU和HgB水平与牙科汞合金的存在以及鱼类消费显著相关；然而，根据研究中评估的标志物，这种暴露水平并未对肾脏、免疫和神经功能产生不良健康影响。考虑到免疫系统、肾脏和中枢神经系统为目标器官，目前职业暴露的生物阈值似乎足以预防健康影响。然而，低剂量汞对免疫和神经内分泌功能的可能影响应进一步研究；此外，应考虑食用高汞含量鱼类的风险，特别是对肾脏和中枢神经系统的影响。最后，应针对本研究未考虑的其他潜在重要影响，如对产前发育、心血管系统和甲状腺的影响，规划进一步的研究。
