INCREASED MERCURY EXPOSURE IN INHABITANTS LIVING IN THE VICINITY OF AHAZARDOUS-WASTE INCINERATOR - A 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

A hazardous-waste-treatment plant that housed an incinerator began ope ration in 1984, before which a baseline survey of the surrounding popu lation and environment was conducted; 10 y later, investigators studie d the same subjects. Researchers focused on mercury exposure because m ercury concentrations were present in the stack emissions, and environ mental monitoring revealed mercury concentrations near the plant. In 1 984 and 1994 the median hair mercury concentrations were 0.5 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg, respectively. During the 10-y period, median hair total me rcury concentrations increased by 0.35 mg/kg in workers (n = 11); by 0 .16 mg/kg, 0.13 mg/kg, and 0.03 mg/kg in individuals who lived 2 km (n = 45), 2-4 km (n = 38), and 5 km (n = 30) from the plant, respectivel y; and by 0.02 mg/kg in the reference group (n = 55). In summary, merc ury exposure increased as distance from the plant decreased; however, the increase in exposure was minimal and, on the basis of current know ledge, did not pose a health risk.