Gebel T, Suchenwirth R H, Behmke C, Plessow A, Claussen K, Schulze E, Dunkelberg H
Abt. für Allgemeine Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, Universität Göttingen.
Gesundheitswesen. 1998 Oct;60(10):580-5.
Part of the northern Palatinate region in Germany is characterised by elevated levels of mercury, arsenic and antimony in the soil due to the presence of ore sources and former mercury mining activities. In a biomonitoring study, roughly 200 residents of this region were investigated for a putative increased absorption of these elements. Urine and scalp hair samples were examined. The results did not show a correlation between the mercury and antimony contents in the soil of the housing area and those in urine and hair. On the other hand, slightly but presumably non-hazardous, elevated arsenic contents in urine and scalp hair could be correlated to an increased arsenic content in the soil. According to multiple regression analysis this increase also correlated with the consumption of poultry, eggs and vegetables kept and cultivated respectively in grounds contaminated with arsenic. In urine, sex differences could be seen for antimony: male probands showing significantly higher mean urinary antimony levels than female probands. Urinary mercury contents were correlated with the amalgam area. Similarly, scalp hair of men contained significantly higher levels of arsenic and antimony in comparison to women. Mercury contents in scalp hair were correlated with the consumption of seafood. Children aged 2 to 6 years had significantly lower levels of mercury, arsenic and antimony in urine than the adult subjects. Thus, an elevated health hazard to these children by e.g. intake of contaminated soil is not expected.
德国普法尔茨州北部部分地区的特点是，由于存在矿源和以前的汞矿开采活动，土壤中的汞、砷和锑含量升高。在一项生物监测研究中，对该地区约200名居民进行了调查，以确定他们对这些元素的吸收是否增加。对尿液和头皮毛发样本进行了检测。结果表明，居住区域土壤中的汞和锑含量与尿液及毛发中的汞和锑含量之间没有相关性。另一方面，尿液和头皮毛发中砷含量略有升高，但可能无危害，这与土壤中砷含量增加有关。根据多元回归分析，这种增加也与分别在受砷污染的场地饲养和种植的家禽、鸡蛋和蔬菜的消费量有关。在尿液中，锑存在性别差异：男性受试者的尿锑平均水平显著高于女性受试者。尿汞含量与汞合金面积相关。同样，男性头皮毛发中的砷和锑含量明显高于女性。头皮毛发中的汞含量与海鲜消费量相关。2至6岁儿童尿液中的汞、砷和锑含量明显低于成人受试者。因此，预计这些儿童不会因摄入受污染土壤等而面临更高的健康风险。
