Background: Cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, are a leading cause of death in developing and developed countries. Mercury can induce hypertension and atherosclerosis in experimental animals and humans. The assessment of the effect of mercury on the occurrence of cardiovascular system disturbances in the population is an essential task. The aim of this study was to assess the association between mercury concentration in urine and the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease during ten coming years. Material and Methods: The study included chemical factory workers who used mercury in the chlorine
production. Results: The mean urine concentration of mercury in 154 workers was 4.9±11.2 μg/g creatinine. The most common disease was hypertension. Conclusions: The cardiovascular risk was higher in workers exposed to small or moderate mercury levels than in workers exposed to mercury vapor in high concentrations. Furthermore, the negative association was observed between mercury exposure and smoking in workers with low urinary excretion of mercury. Med Pr 2010;61(4):381-391