SPECIATION OF MERCURY EXCRETED IN FECES FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH AMALGAMFILLINGS

Investigators established methods for the analysis of total mercury (H g-total), oxidized mercury and mercury bound to sulfhydryl groups (Hg- S), mercury vapor (Hg-0), and mercury from amalgam particles (APs) in fecal samples. Two individuals consumed mercury as a mercury-cysteine complex mercury vapor, and mercury from amalgam particles, and the cum ulative excretion of mercury in feces was followed. Investigators foun d that 80% of the mercury from amalgam particles and mercury bound to sulfhydryl groups was excreted, but only 40% of the mercury vapor was excreted. Speciation of mercury excreted in feces from 6 individuals w ith a moderate loading of amalgam fillings showed that most of the mer cury originating from the fillings consisted of oxidized mercury, whic h was probably bound to sulfhydryl-containing compounds. The proportio n of amalgam particles in fecal samples from these individuals was low , and ii did not exceed 26% of the total amount of mercury excreted.