Occupational and Environmental Exposure to Mercury among Iranian Hairdressers

• Published in: Journal of Occupational Health Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 56 - 61
• Main Authors: Fakour, Hoda, Esmaili‐Sari, Abbas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: Australia JAPAN SOCIETY FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 01.01.2014; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Beauty Culture - statistics & numerical data; Biomarkers; Cosmetic; Cosmetics; Cosmetics - analysis; Cosmetics - chemistry; Dental Amalgam - analysis; Dental Amalgam - chemistry; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Female; Gloves, Protective - statistics & numerical data; Hair; Hair - chemistry; Hairdressers; Humans; Iran; Iranian hairdressers; Linear Models; Masks - statistics & numerical data; Mercury; Mercury - analysis; Nail; Nails - chemistry; Occupational; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Occupational health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Workforce; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1341-9145; 1348-9585; 1348-9585
• DOI: 10.1539/joh.13-0008-OA

Objectives：The aim of this study was to describe the mercury concentrations in female hairdressers associated with occupational and environmental exposure through cosmetic products and amalgam fillings. Methods：Sixty-two hair and nail samples were collected randomly from Iranian hairdressers. Hg level determination was carried out using a LECO, AMA 254, Advanced Mercury Analyzer according to ASTM, standard No. D-6722. Results：The mean mercury levels were 1.15+-1.03μg/g and 1.82+-1.12μg/g in the hair and nail samples, respectively with a positive correlation among them (r=0.98). A significant relation was also observed between Hg levels and the number of amalgam fillings (p<0.001), use of cosmetics (p<0.001), and use of gloves (p=0.02). Conclusions：The Hg levels in about one-third of the studied samples were higher than the USEPA-recommended 1μg/g, which represents a serious health risk. Hairdressers with continuous use of cosmetics and a high number of amalgam fillings had significantly elevated mercury concentrations in their hair and nails, suggesting the importance of mercury exposure assessment in hidden, less-explored sources of Hg in the workplace.