Selected case histories and epidemiologic examples of human mercury poisoning

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Clin. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3109/15563657708989829· OSTI ID:6783143

Gerstner, H B; Huff, J E

Clinical aspects of mercury poisoning are described for elemental mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. Critical targets of poisoning by elemental mercury are the lungs and the central nervous system. A case of acute pulmonary injury and a case of chronic brain injury are described. The effects of inorganic mercury compounds are chiefly injuries to the alimentary canal and kidneys. Two cases of acute intoxication from these compounds are described. An epidemiologic study on Africans suffering from the nephrotic syndrome showed that aminomercuric chloride was the causative agent. Organic mercury compounds are discussed with regard to the following: individual cases of the methylmercury syndrome in adults; individual cases of prenatal methylmercury intoxication; epidemic outbreaks of methylmercury poisoning; epidemiology of methylmercury poisoning through dressed seed grain; and epidemic outbreaks of poisonings by organomercurials other than methylmercury. (HLW)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 6783143
• Journal Information: Clin. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Clin. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 11:2; ISSN CTOXA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BODY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
HUMAN POPULATIONS
KIDNEYS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAN
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALS
METHYLMERCURY
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
POISONING
POPULATIONS
PRIMATES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES