Mercury toxicokinetics in Wistar rats exposed to elemental mercury vapour: modeling and computer simulation

The kinetics of total mercury (Hg) absorption, distribution and elimination in Wistar rats exposed for long periods to elemental mercury vapour (Hg zero) in the Idrija mercury mine were studied. From the experimental data base a compartmental model was built as a framework for experimental data interpretation and prediction of organ mercury levels under different conditions. Using the model the exposures of rats under conditions comparable to those of professionally exposed workers (mercury miners, workers in the chloralkali industry) and individuals with amalgam fillings were simulated.