[Exposure to mercury and population health. I. Immunotoxicity of mercury].

The authors present large numbers of data on influence of the various mercury compounds on the immune system of humans and laboratory animals. The effect of mercury on the immune system was studied mainly in small rodents intoxicated mostly with HgCl2 or methylmercury. Contrary to a number of these data, analogous observations in humans are rare. Stimulating activity of mercury vapours on the immunological system has been reported in workers at chloralkali plants. So far no data are available concerning influence of the mercury vapours on the resistance of humans to neoplasms and infections.