Mercury pigmentation from industrial exposure. An ultrastructural and analytical electron microscopic study

A study has been made of facial pigmentation resulting from industrial inorganic mercury exposure. Electron microscopy has shown electron-dense 400--900 nm aggregates of 12 nm particles in dermal macrophages and free in the dermis. Use of the analytical electron microscope has enabled direct confirmation of the presence of mercury in these aggregates. The unexpected finding of coexistent selenium is discussed.