Psychological performance and long-term exposure to mercury vapors.

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Abstract
In a cross-sectional study the psychological test performances of a group of 36 male chlorine-alkali workers were compared with the level of exposure to Hg and to the corresponding results of referents. The Hg exposure had lasted for at least 10 yr and had been controlled by regular health examinations and urine analyses. Several dose indicators were calculated. The more heavily exposed workers performed more poorly on the verbal intelligence test (similarities) than the referents did. Impairments in the memory tests showed a statistically significant correlation with the actual exposure level, especially with the actual concentration of Hg in blood. The monitoring of Hg in blood can be useful in health surveillance programs. The level of Hg in the air was calculated from the dose indicators. The results supported the recommended exposure limit of 25 .mu.g/m3 for metallic Hg vapor in the air as a level avoiding adverse effects is exposed workers.