Abstract

ZAVARIZ, Cecília  and  GLINA, Débora Miriam R.. Effects of occupational exposure to mercury in workers at a light bulb factory in Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil. Cad. Saúde Pública [online]. 1993, vol.9, n.2, pp. 117-129. ISSN 0102-311X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X1993000200002.

The aim of this research was to study metallic mercury poisoning in workers at a light bulb factory in Santo Amaro, São Paulo (Brazil). Visits were made to the factory to check both the work environment and the working conditions. Meetings with the workers took place in order to better understand the production process and how working conditions affect their health. Of the 91 workers investigated, 77 (84.62%) were chronically poisoned. Among chronically poisoned workers, 76 (98.70%) displayed neuropsychological alterations, 69 (75.82%) suffered from neurological impairments, 62 (68.13%) showed pathological findings under clinical examination, and 59 (63.96%) displayed psychiatric disorders.

Keywords : Occupational Exposure; Adverse Effects; Mercury; Industrial Toxicology.