Determination of mercury in urine by atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

Urine  is  a  liquid  waste  product  of  the  body.  Substances  that  are  ingested  and fail  to be apsorbed  are  excreted, solid  waste through  the intestines, the  urine through the kidney and ureter and another fluid from the body through perspiration. Determination of mercury content  of  urine  is  not  included  in  routine  examinations,  but  mercury  can  be present in  urine at concentrations that  could  have serious  effects on  human health. Urine donors were selected in regard to their occupations, age, lifestyle habits, and different diet, with special reference to dental professionals, consumers of marine food and smokers, as a group  of  subjects  that  could  have  a  higher concentration  of  this  metal.  To  determine  the mercury  content  in  urine  ,atomic  absorption  spectrometry  – a  technique  of  cold  vapor  method  was  used  The  total  content  of  mercury  in  76  analyzed  urine  samples  was  in  the range  of  0.12  to  12.24  ng/mL.  There  was  a positive correlation between the  number  of teeth with amalgam fillings and urinary concentrations  of  mercury in some donors,.  In contrast, the  other analyzed factors that  theoretically can  affect the levels  of mercury in urine, did not show such correlation.