Time Exposure Based On Biological Monitoring

Abstract

There Are Two Biological Exposure Indices That Represent Exposure To Elevated Levels Of Mercury. One Is Based On Total Inorganic Mercury In Urine; The Second Is Based On Total Inorganic Mercury In Blood. Retention Of Mercury In These Fluids Is Different And Represents Exposures Over Different Relative Times. Mercury In Urine Represents Exposure Three To Six Months Prior To Testing, While The Blood Test Represents Exposure During The Days Prior To Testing. In The Absence Of Air Monitoring Data, Biological Monitoring Can Represent Exposures To Elevated Concentrations Of This Contaminant, And Aid In Identifying The Time Of Exposure. In This Case Study, There Were Two Successive Employers Of A Plant, Both Of Which Agreed The Worker Was Exposed To High Levels Of Mercury And Was Experiencing Adverse Health Effects From That Exposure. The First Owner Held Coverage With Two Insurers In Succession. The Second Employer Took The Position That The Worker Was Exposed While The Other Owned And Operated The Plant. Exposure During Each Period Of Responsibility Was Demonstrated.