Elemental mercury poisoning in occupational and residential settings

Risher, John F; Nickle, Richard; Amler, Sherlita

doi:10.1078/1438-4639-00233

Cited by 53 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Acrodynia is probably caused by the deposit of mercuric chloride in the tissues. Exposure to elemental mercury vapor can produce pink disease in children [27]. In Korea, a case of acrodynia in a 3-year-old boy was reported after exposure to house paints and lacquer for 2 months [17].…”

Section: Toxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Exposure and Health Effects of Inorganic and Elemental Mercury

Park

Zheng

2012

J Prev Med Public Health

554

365

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Mercury is a toxic and non-essential metal in the human body. Mercury is ubiquitously distributed in the environment, present in natural products, and exists extensively in items encountered in daily life. There are three forms of mercury, i.e., elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. This review examines the toxicity of elemental mercury and inorganic mercury compounds. Inorganic mercury compounds are water soluble with a bioavailability of 7% to 15% after ingestion; they are also irritants and cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Upon entering the body, inorganic mercury compounds are accumulated mainly in the kidneys and produce kidney damage. In contrast, human exposure to elemental mercury is mainly by inhalation, followed by rapid absorption and distribution in all major organs. Elemental mercury from ingestion is poorly absorbed with a bioavailability of less than 0.01%. The primary target organs of elemental mercury are the brain and kidney. Elemental mercury is lipid soluble and can cross the blood-brain barrier, while inorganic mercury compounds are not lipid soluble, rendering them unable to cross the blood-brain barrier. Elemental mercury may also enter the brain from the nasal cavity through the olfactory pathway. The blood mercury is a useful biomarker after short-term and high-level exposure, whereas the urine mercury is the ideal biomarker for long-term exposure to both elemental and inorganic mercury, and also as a good indicator of body burden. This review discusses the common sources of mercury exposure, skin lightening products containing mercury and mercury release from dental amalgam filling, two issues that happen in daily life, bear significant public health importance, and yet undergo extensive debate on their safety.

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Section: Toxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Exposure and Health Effects of Inorganic and Elemental Mercury

Park

Zheng

2012

J Prev Med Public Health

554

365

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“…This toxicity toward humans depends on the chemical form, the amount, the pathway of exposure and the vulnerability of the exposed person. Human beings are exposed to mercury through a variety of pathways: consumption of fi sh (Chan 2011, Benefi ce et al 2010, Jewett and Duffy 2007, Agusa 2005, occupational and household applications (Nance 2012, Spiegel and Veiga 2010, Eckley et al 2011, Hylander 2011, Shimshack and Ward 2010, Risher et al 2003, Junghans 1983, dental amalgams (Ye et al 2009, Bates 2011, Richardson et al 2011, mercury-coated seed grains and mercury-containing vaccines (Dórea et al 2011), and chlor-alkali industry (Grangeon et al 2012, Reis et al 2009, Montuori et al 2006, Soto et al 2011). Because of the high toxicity of mercury, special attention has been paid to its prevention (Ibáñez-Palomino et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speciation and Determination of Tellurium in Water, Soil, Sediment and other Environmental Samples

Bakırdere¹

2013

Speciation Studies in Soil, Sediment and Environmental Samples

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“…The Hazardous Substance Emergency Events Surveillance system found that during 1993-1998, elemental mercury was one of the 10 most commonly released hazardous substances and that most spills occurred in schools and universities (3). The numerous sources of elemental mercury include old thermometers, barometers, and electrical switches (4). Children are often attracted to elemental mercury because of its color, density, and tendency to form beads (5).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%