[Occupational estimation of the levels of mercury in workers engaged in electrochemical manufacture of caustic soda].

Plasmaless atomic absorption was used to study biosubstrates from the workers engaged in the production of caustic soda for the levels of mercury. In 63% of the examinees, the urinary concentrations of mercury exceeded the critical value and substantially increased after administration of a detoxifying agent. The content of mercury in the hair was also higher than the physiologically allowable normal value. The cause of chronic mercury intoxication was the intensive contamination of the industrial environment with mercury vapours.