Legacy of the Mad Hatter

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1969 · Environment; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1969.9929497· OSTI ID:5799323

Grant, N

Man is only beginning to realize the real and potential significance of the mercury hazard. The sources of mercury pollution are widespread, but its distribution and fate in the environment are poorly documented. The attention of the medical profession, previously directed towards mercury as an industrial hazard, was directed towards mercury in the environment by the Minamata episode. One hundred and ten Japanese were afflicted by mercury poisoning because they ate mercury laden fish caught from waters contaminated by wastes from a plastics plant. This paper discusses the symptoms of mercury poisoning, sources of mercury poisoning, body burden levels, and biotransformations of mercury in the environment and in the body. The author expresses the need to reduce mercury levels in the environment and to develop an organized monitoring system for environmental mercury. 24 references.

• Research Organization: Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO
• OSTI ID: 5799323
• Journal Information: Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Environment; (United States) Vol. 11:4; ISSN ENVTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BODY
BODY BURDEN
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
FOOD CHAINS
GASES
GLANDS
INJURIES
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MAMMALS
MAN
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALS
METHYLMERCURY
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
POLLUTION
PRESERVATIVES
PRIMATES
SYMPTOMS
THERAPY
TOXICITY
VAPORS
VERTEBRATES