MERCURY PROBLEMS IN SIBERIA

Abstract

Mercury is a hazardous environmentalpollutant. The assessment of the exposure for population ofIrkutsk Region was carried out through field surveys thatcould provide background information (characteristics ofHg sources, regional environment, Hg concentration indifferent kinds of food). The determination of total Hg insamples was performed by cold vapor atomic absorptionspectrometry. The main anthropogenic Hg sources areconcentrated both in the zone of Hg–used chemical plantsand in the Bratsk water reservoir. The assessment mercurycontents was performed for 2 periods: from 1992 until 1998and after 1999. The last one obtained by screening andinterviewing 1300 people through questionnaires in order toobtain data on general identification, occupationalactivities, life conditions, taking into account the fishconsumption from the Bratsk water reservoir.Key words - air at working places, fish, health, mercury, risk.