Analysis of peripheral neuropathy disorders in humans from mercury exposure: A systematic review

Introduction: Mercury is recognized as a global contaminant because it can travel long distance in the atmosphere, stay in the environment, accumulate in food webs, and cause severe adverse effects on human and ecosystem health. Exposure to mercury can affect peripheral nerve disorders and is usually found in populations exposed to workplaces with high mercury exposure. This study aims to analyze exposure of peripheral neuropathy in humans to mercury. Method: This systematic review uses the PRISMA-P 2015 and keyword search using PICO-S technique. Results and Discussion: We found that direct exposure of mercury to humans for less than six continuous months can cause peripheral neuropathy. Susceptibility factors affecting mercury poisoning are age, sex, type of work, immunity, length of stay, distance of residence to a mining location, distance of sources of clean water and sources of pollutants, smoking status, and consumption of fish.