Biomarkers of mercury exposure in two eastern Ukraine cities

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Horlivka, Ukraine, has geologic and industrial mercury sources.
• Artemivsk serves as a comparison city outside the mercury-enriched area.
• Understanding mercury exposure is crucial for public health in industrial regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate mercury exposure biomarkers in residents of Horlivka and Artemivsk.
• To compare mercury levels between the two cities and with occupational exposure.
• To identify predictors of mercury exposure in residential environments.

Main Methods:

• Collected urine, blood, hair, and nail samples from residents.
• Administered questionnaires on lifestyle and environmental factors.
• Analyzed mercury concentrations in biological and environmental samples (dust, soil).

Main Results:

• Median mercury biomarker concentrations were low in both cities, comparable to general populations.
• Horlivka residents did not show higher overall blood or urinary mercury than Artemivsk residents.
• Three individuals near mercury mines had elevated mercury; household dust and soil correlated with blood/urinary mercury.

Conclusions:

• Mercury exposure levels in Horlivka and Artemivsk residents are generally low.
• Proximity to mercury mines is a significant factor for elevated exposure.
• Environmental sampling (dust, soil) can predict individual mercury burden.