Mercury contamination of heavy metal collection containers

Citation
Pm. Wax et al., Mercury contamination of heavy metal collection containers, VET HUM TOX, 42(1), 2000, pp. 22-25
Citations number
3
Categorie Soggetti
Veterinary Medicine/Animal Health
Journal title
VETERINARY AND HUMAN TOXICOLOGY
ISSN journal
01456296 → ACNP
Volume
42
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
22 - 25
Database
ISI
SICI code
0145-6296(200002)42:1<22:MCOHMC>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
We investigated discordant urinary mercury testing results from 2 patients with potential mercury exposures. Two patients had mercury levels of 634 an d >1,000 mu g/L respectively Although repeat 24 h urine mercury levels were elevated, spot urines were negative. Investigation revealed that technical HCl with high mercury content had been added to the 24 h urine collection containers. Subsequently, 20 hospitals were contacted to determine their he avy metals testing procedure and to analyze the acid used for mercury, Most hospitals contacted used acid in the preparation of their urine heavy meta l collection containers. Of 13 HCl samples tested, 5 had low levels of merc ury and I had heavy mercury content. Acid added to heavy metal collection c ontainers should be of high purity grade to avoid mercury contamination of samples.