[Chronic occupational mercury exposure in renal damage in workers in the chlorine-alkali electrolysis industry]

The authors investigated renal damage in 46 chlorine-alkaly plant workers (mean age was 38.8 +/- 5.7 years) under conditions of continued occupational exposure to metallic mercury vapour. The mercury unexposed control group consisted of 32 workers who works in the plant area. Significantly low of serum globulin level was found in exposed evaluated group compared with control subjects (P < 0.001). The serum globulin level was in correlation with urine mercury level (P < 0.001). Analyses of urine chemistry indicated that exposed workers had cell death produces in sediment urine as the most common signs (P < 0.001). The proteinuria was found in 4 out 32 and high level of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase in 8 out 32 exposed workers to high mercury level workers. Additionally, disuria and ejaculatory pain as symptoms occurred without evidence of urological disease. Mercury induced nephropathy usually associated with proteinuria, but is not with renal insufficiency.