Mercury and methylmercury in hair of selected groups of Czech population.

SUMMARY As the concentration of methylmercury (MeHg) in the environment is insignificant, hair can be used as a suitable matrix to estimate endogenous MeHg exposure. A validated analytical method with AMA 254 spectrometer was used for the determination of inorganic mercury and methylmercury species in the hair of dentists, workers in fish industry and professionally non-exposed adults. ANOVA and QC Expert software was used for statistical evaluation. The number of amalgam fillings in oral cavity, consumption of fish, gender, smoking habits and age of the subjects were taken into account. A significantly higher level of inorganic bound mercury (Hg in ) was found in the hair of dentists. The number of amalgam fillings had a slightly significant effect on Hg in ; fish consumption had a significant influence on MeHg and slightly also on Hg in . Other parameters were not significant.