Toxicology by Steven G. Gilbert: A Small Dose of Mercury
A Small Dose of Mercury
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References / Additional Information (updated 02/12/06)
MERCURY DOSSIER (Inorganic, Organic, Thimerasol)
Name: Mercury (Hg) (inorganic)
Use: consumer products, industry, dental amalgams, switches, thermometers
Source: mining, environment, workplace
Recommended daily intake: none (not essential)
Absorption: inhalation, intestine poor
Sensitive individuals: fetus, children, women of childbearing age
Toxicity/symptoms: nervous system, irritability tremor, drowsiness, depression, incoordination, and tremors, (mad as a hatter)
Regulatory facts: ATSDR - MRL - Inhalation 0.2 µg/m3
General facts: long history of use, liquid silver evaporates at room temperature, bacteria convert to organic methyl mercury
Environmental: global environmental contaminate
Recommendations: avoid, recycle mercury-containing devices
Name: Mercury (organic) (methyl mercury - Hg-CH3) Use: limited laboratory use
Source: contaminates some fish (e.g. tuna, shark, pike)
Recommended daily intake: none (not essential)
Absorption: intestine (90%)
Sensitive individuals: fetus, children, women of child bearing age
Toxicity/symptoms: nervous system, developmental effects include cerebral palsy-like symptoms with involvement of the visual, sensory, and auditory systems, tingling around lips & mouth, tingling in fingers & toes, vision, hearing loss
Regulatory facts:
EPA – RfD – 0.1 µg/kg/day
FDA – 1 ppm in commercial fish
ATSDR – MRL – 0.30 µg/kg/day
NAS – blood Hg <5.0 µg/L, hair levels <1.0 µg/g
General facts: bacteria convert inorganic mercury to methyl mercury then in to food supply (bioaccumulation)
Environmental: global environmental contaminate, bioaccumulates in some fish
Recommendations: avoid, recycle mercury-containing devices