Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))
Volume 56, Issue 12, 1994, Pages 686-689

Endemic mercury burden caused by a bleaching ointment in Balken refugees [Endemische Quecksilberbelastung durch eine Bleichsalbe bei Balkanflüchtigen.] (Article)

Otto M.* , Ahlemeyer C. , Tasche H. , von Mühlendahl K.E.
  • a Akademie für Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin e.V., Dokumentations- und Informationsstelle für Umweltfragen, Osnabrück.
  • b Akademie für Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin e.V., Dokumentations- und Informationsstelle für Umweltfragen, Osnabrück.
  • c Akademie für Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin e.V., Dokumentations- und Informationsstelle für Umweltfragen, Osnabrück.
  • d Akademie für Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin e.V., Dokumentations- und Informationsstelle für Umweltfragen, Osnabrück.

Abstract

In two camps in Ibbenbüren occupied by refugees from Balkan countries we found in 121 inhabitants, among them 56 children, high mercury concentrations in urine and blood. The median of the urinary concentrations was 12 micrograms/l (range: 0.15-770 micrograms/l) or 11.4 micrograms/g creatinin (range: 0.2-446 micrograms/g). 12 adults and 15 children had values above 50 micrograms/l. As source, a mercury-containing bleaching ointment, sold by foreign vendors, was identified. Mercury concentrations in several samples of this ointment ranged from 708 to 17,200 micrograms/g. Similar exposure to mercury may occur elsewhere. Hence, chronic mercury poisoning should by taken into differential diagnostic consideration.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Germany refugee Albania Cosmetics Drugs, Non Prescription mercurialism ointment human Drugs, Non-Prescription Refugees cosmetic Ointments Mercury Poisoning Mercury Yugoslavia ethnology Adolescent male case report preschool child female Infant Child, Preschool Article Support, Non-U.S. Gov't adult non prescription drug Child English Abstract
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0028726111&partnerID=40&md5=c22150e78416d6d3a727d1475eff674a
ISSN: 09413790
Cited by: 15
Original Language: German