Objectives The aims of the study were to assess renal function in chloralkali workers previously exposed to mercury vapor and to assess the impact of selenium status on the biomarkers of kidney function.

Methods Forty-nine chloralkali workers previously exposed to mercury vapor were compared with 49 age-matched referents in a cross-sectional study. Selected biomarkers of kidney function and biomarkers of selenium status were measured. The index group had been exposed for 13.1 (range 2.8–34.5) years on the average at a mean urinary mercury excretion of 9.3 (range 4.0–25.4) nmol/mmol creatinine a year. The exposure had ceased on an average of 4.8 (range 4.2–10.0) years prior to the examinations.

Results No statistically significant differences were found between the groups for the measured biomarkers of kidney function. The serum selenium concentration and serum glutathione peroxidase activity were associated with the activity of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase in urine (U-NAG). The results indicate that having higher glutathione peroxidase activity or a higher serum selenium concentration results in a lower excretion of U-NAG. This effect was the most pronounced in the oldest third of the participants. Apparently the well-known association between U-NAG and age could only be found for the participants with a lower selenium status.

Conclusions Increased activities of U-NAG during ongoing exposure to mercury vapor appear to be reversible upon cessation of exposure. Selenium status has a substantial impact on U-NAG activity and should be considered in studies of U-NAG excretion.

Key terms albumin; chloralkali worker; exposure; glutathione peroxidase; kidney; mercury vapor; N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase; past exposure; renal function; selenium