Mercury toxicity. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1992 · American Family Physician; (United States)

OSTI ID:7179878

Because mercury has several forms and because it produces subtle effects at chronic low-level exposures, mercury toxicity can be a difficult diagnosis to establish. Elemental mercury vapor accounts for most occupational and many accidental exposures. The main source of organic methyl mercury exposure in the general population is fish consumption. Children are at increased risk of exposure to elemental mercury vapor in the home because it tends to settle to the floor. The chemical and physical forms of mercury determine its absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion pathways. The central nervous system and kidneys are key targets of mercury toxicity. Chelation therapy has been used successfully in treating patients who have ingested mercury salts or inhaled elemental mercury. There is no antidote for patients poisoned with organic mercury.7 references.

• OSTI ID: 7179878
• Journal Information: American Family Physician; (United States), Vol. 46:6; ISSN 0002-838X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
MERCURY
TOXICITY
DIAGNOSIS
ABSORPTION
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHELATING AGENTS
CHILDREN
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
DISTRIBUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
EXCRETION
INGESTION
INHALATION
METABOLISM
NERVOUS SYSTEM
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
AGE GROUPS
CLEARANCE
ELEMENTS
INTAKE
METALS
POPULATIONS
SORPTION
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
550200 - Biochemistry