Environmental mercury pollution and its effects on reproductive and fertility function of female residents in Shanxi province

Objective To analyze mercury(Hg)pollution in the enviromnent and its effects on female residents'reproductive and fertility function in some regions of Shanxi provice through epidemiological investigation.Methods The Hg contents in air,water,crop and residents' urine were measured with atomic fluorescence spectrometry.The female residents' basic health information,development and fertility function were surveyed.Results The Hg concentration in the atmosphere was 0.10±0.01μg/m³ in polluted area,signiflcantly higher than that of in control area(P<0.05).The Hg contents in millet(0.013±0.006 mg/kg)and maize(0.006±0.003 mg/kg)in the polluted area were significantly higher than those of in the control a rea(P<0.05).The urinary Hg content of the women in the polluted area was 1.06±1.23μg/L,obviously higher than that in the control area(P<0.05).The incidences of menstrualomen and abnormal pregnancy outcomes of the women in the polluted area were significantly higher than those in the control area(P<0.05).The incidence of hypertension in pregnancy and the neonatal deaths in pollutted area were obviously higher than those in the control area(P< 0.05).Conclusion The local environment is affected by Hg.The Hg burden of female residents increases.The reproductive and fertility function of female residents are affected by Hg exposure.