URINARY MERCURY LEVELS IN FEMALES - INFLUENCE OF SKIN-LIGHTENING CREAMS AND DENTAL AMALGAM FILLINGS

The influence of application of skin-lightening creams and dental amal gam fillings on the urinary mercury (Hg) level was evaluated in 225 fe males (ages 17 to 58 years) living in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, The arithmetic mean of the urinary Hg level was 6.96 +/- 20.43 mu g l (-1), in the range 0 to 204.8 mu g l(-1). The mean urinary Hg level ad justed by creatinine (Cr) was 11.22 +/- 37.23 mu g g(-1) Cr, in the ra nge 0 to 459.37 mu g g(-1). No significant difference in urinary Hg wa s noted between the females regarding the use of skin-lightening cream s, On the other hand, results showed that urinary Hg concentration was influenced by the use and number of dental amalgam fillings, No women were identified with symptoms or signs that could be attributed to Hg intoxication, Urine analyses for creatinine, urea, uric acid, phospho rus, magnesium, glucose and calcium showed significant correlation wit h urinary Hg, This suggests that chronic exposure to Hg may be associa ted with a deterioration of renal function.