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Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi. Japanese... 2018Mercury and its compounds are classified into three main groups: metallic mercury (Hg), inorganic mercury (Hg), and organic mercury (methyl mercury: CHHg, etc.).... (Review)
Review
Mercury and its compounds are classified into three main groups: metallic mercury (Hg), inorganic mercury (Hg), and organic mercury (methyl mercury: CHHg, etc.). Metallic mercury is the only metal that is liquid at ambient temperature and normal pressure, which readily forms an amalgam with other metals. Therefore, mercury has long been used for refining various metals, and mercury amalgam has been used for dental treatment. Mercury has also been used in measuring instruments such as thermometers, barometers and blood pressure monitors, as well as electric appliances such as lighting equipment and dry batteries. Large amounts of metallic mercury are still used in other countries as a catalyst in the production of caustic soda by electrolysis. In addition, mercury compounds have been used in various chemicals such as mercurochrome, agricultural chemicals, and mildew-proofing agents. However, the use of mercury has also caused health problems for people. Minamata disease in Japan is a typical example. Also, since mercury is highly volatile, it is discharged as a product of industrial activities or derived from volcanoes, and it has been concluded on the basis of the findings of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) that it is circulating globally. Therefore, with the aim of establishing an internationally legally binding treaty for the regulation of mercury use to reduce risk, an intergovernmental negotiating committee was established in 2009. Japan actively contributed to this negotiation owing to its experience with Minamata disease, which led to the Convention on the regulation of mercury use being discharged as the "Minamata Convention on Mercury" and the treaty came into force on August 16, 2017. In this review, we introduce 1) the Global Mercury Assessment by UNEP; 2) mercury kinetics, exposure assessment and toxicity of different chemical forms; 3) large-scale epidemics of methylmercury poisoning; 4) methylmercury exposure assessment and health survey in whale-eating populations; 5) elemental mercury exposure assessment and health survey of mercury mine workers in China.
Topics: Animals; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Fishes; Global Health; Humans; Mercury Compounds; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System; Methylmercury Compounds; Occupational Exposure; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 30270289
DOI: 10.1265/jjh.73.258 -
Journal of Environmental and Public... 2020This report synthesizes and evaluates published scientific literature on the environmental occurrence and biomagnification of mercury with emphasis on the San Francisco... (Review)
Review
This report synthesizes and evaluates published scientific literature on the environmental occurrence and biomagnification of mercury with emphasis on the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA), California. Mercury forms various compounds, well known for their toxicity in humans and environmental ecosystems. Elemental mercury is transported and distributed by air, water, and sediments. Through the metabolic processes of algae and bacteria, mercury is converted into organic compounds, such as methylmercury (MeHg), which then bioaccumulates up through trophic levels. In fish, it is found primarily in skeletal muscle, while in humans, the primary target organs are the brain and kidneys. Health concerns exist regarding bioaccumulation of mercury in humans. This paper reviews the known anthropogenic sources of mercury contamination, including atmospheric deposition through aerial transport from coal burning power plants, cement production, and residual contaminants of mercury from gold mining, as well as mercury-containing waste from silver amalgams emitted from dental offices into waterways. Although tools exist for measuring mercury levels in hair, breast milk, urine, blood, and feces in humans, current diagnostic tools are inadequate in measuring total mercury load, including deposited mercury in tissues. Additionally, insufficient attention is being paid to potential synergistic impacts of mercury interaction with multipliers such as lead, cadmium, and aluminum. We provide specific data on methylmercury concentrations at different trophic levels, followed by recommendations for reducing the level of mercury in the SFBA in order to protect the health of humans and other species.
Topics: Animals; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Metals, Heavy; Methylmercury Compounds; San Francisco
PubMed: 33014081
DOI: 10.1155/2020/8184614 -
Journal of Medical Toxicology :... Dec 2013Chelation for heavy metal intoxication began more than 70 years ago with the development of British anti-lewisite (BAL; dimercaprol) in wartime Britain as a potential... (Review)
Review
Chelation for heavy metal intoxication began more than 70 years ago with the development of British anti-lewisite (BAL; dimercaprol) in wartime Britain as a potential antidote the arsenical warfare agent lewisite (dichloro[2-chlorovinyl]arsine). DMPS (unithiol) and DMSA (succimer), dithiol water-soluble analogs of BAL, were developed in the Soviet Union and China in the late 1950s. These three agents have remained the mainstay of chelation treatment of arsenic and mercury intoxication for more than half a century. Animal experiments and in some instances human data indicate that the dithiol chelators enhance arsenic and mercury excretion. Controlled animal experiments support a therapeutic role for these chelators in the prompt treatment of acute poisoning by arsenic and inorganic mercury salts. Treatment should be initiated as rapidly as possible (within minutes to a few hours), as efficacy declines or disappears as the time interval between metal exposure and onset of chelation increases. DMPS and DMSA, which have a higher therapeutic index than BAL and do not redistribute arsenic or mercury to the brain, offer advantages in clinical practice. Although chelation following chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic and inorganic mercury may accelerate metal excretion and diminish metal burden in some organs, potential therapeutic efficacy in terms of decreased morbidity and mortality is largely unestablished in cases of chronic metal intoxication.
Topics: Animals; Arsenic Poisoning; Arsenicals; Chelating Agents; Chelation Therapy; Humans; Mercury Poisoning; Succimer; Treatment Outcome; Unithiol
PubMed: 24178900
DOI: 10.1007/s13181-013-0344-5 -
Daru : Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy,... Jun 2014Mercury poisoning cases have been reported in many parts of the world, resulting in many deaths every year. Mercury compounds are classified in different chemical types... (Review)
Review
Mercury poisoning cases have been reported in many parts of the world, resulting in many deaths every year. Mercury compounds are classified in different chemical types such as elemental, inorganic and organic forms. Long term exposure to mercury compounds from different sources e.g. water, food, soil and air lead to toxic effects on cardiovascular, pulmonary, urinary, gastrointestinal, neurological systems and skin. Mercury level can be measured in plasma, urine, feces and hair samples. Urinary concentration is a good indicator of poisoning of elemental and inorganic mercury, but organic mercury (e.g. methyl mercury) can be detected easily in feces. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are a rapid, cheap and sensitive method for detection of thymine bound mercuric ions. Silver nanoparticles are used as a sensitive detector of low concentration Hg2+ ions in homogeneous aqueous solutions. Besides supportive therapy, British anti lewisite, dimercaprol (BAL), 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA. succimer) and dimercaptopropanesulfoxid acid (DMPS) are currently used as chelating agents in mercury poisoning. Natural biologic scavengers such as algae, azolla and other aquatic plants possess the ability to uptake mercury traces from the environment.
Topics: Chelating Agents; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Metal Nanoparticles; Thymine
PubMed: 24888360
DOI: 10.1186/2008-2231-22-46 -
Journal of Medical Toxicology :... Oct 2020This is a case series of 3 children from a single family who developed symptomatic elemental mercury poisoning requiring hospitalization and chelation. The mercury...
This is a case series of 3 children from a single family who developed symptomatic elemental mercury poisoning requiring hospitalization and chelation. The mercury exposure primarily occurred in the home but the mercury was also tracked to one of their schools requiring environmental cleanup at both the home and school. The clinical assessment and management, as well as public health investigation and response, are discussed. There are many lessons learned in this difficult, often delayed, diagnosis. Early recognition of this environmental toxic exposure is essential. Communication between the clinicians and public health officials played a critical role. Public education prevented panic. Proper environmental sampling, and assessment and management of those exposed, were a few of the many challenges faced in this complicated case series.
Topics: Adolescent; Chelating Agents; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Exanthema; Female; Fever; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Mercury Poisoning; Predictive Value of Tests; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32572678
DOI: 10.1007/s13181-020-00792-6 -
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly... Aug 2005In November 2004, a student aged 15 years brought a small vial of liquid mercury onto a school bus and into a high school in Kentucky. A subsequent investigation...
In November 2004, a student aged 15 years brought a small vial of liquid mercury onto a school bus and into a high school in Kentucky. A subsequent investigation revealed that mercury had been in the student's possession for more than a year and that substantial amounts had been spilled in multiple locations. This report describes the results of that investigation, which indicated that 1) duration of exposure was associated with the amount of mercury absorbed by exposed persons and 2) extensive multiagency collaboration facilitated an efficient response. The investigation further revealed that, although mercury exposure is common, clinicians might not be aware of how to evaluate and treat patients with mercury exposure. State and federal health agencies should provide schools, clinicians, and local health department staff with readily accessible guidelines for use in mercury spills and exposures.
Topics: Adolescent; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Kentucky; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Schools
PubMed: 16107784
DOI: No ID Found -
Industrial Health Apr 2000Mercury exists in various chemical forms. The important forms from a toxicological viewpoint are the metallic form, also called the elemental form, the divalent... (Review)
Review
Mercury exists in various chemical forms. The important forms from a toxicological viewpoint are the metallic form, also called the elemental form, the divalent inorganic forms and methylmercury compounds. Elemental (Hg0) mercury has a high vapor pressure and the vapor causes a number of cases of poisoning via inhalation. Classical mercury poisoning is characterized by a triad of signs, namely tremors, erethism and gingivitis. Mercurial erethism, which is characterized by behavioral and personality changes such as extreme shyness, excitability, loss of memory, and insomnia are also observed. Recently, the effects of mercury exposure at levels around 0.05 mg/m3 or lower have been of concern and may include minor renal tubular damage, increased complaints of tiredness, memory disturbance and other symptoms, subclinical finger tremor, abnormal EEG by computerized analysis and impaired performance in neurobehavioral or neuropsychological tests. Abnormal gait, dysarthria, ataxia, deafness and constriction of the visual field are typical of the symptoms of methylmercury poisoning observed in Minamata and Iraqi outbreaks, as well as in occupational methylmercury poisoning cases. Furthermore, an infant born to a mother with excessive methylmercury consumption showed various neurological disturbances and delayed development. Since several populations are believed to be still exposed to methylmercury through the consumption of fish and sea mammals, neurobehavioral deviations in children of these populations have recently been investigated.
Topics: Ataxia; Child Development; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Environmental Exposure; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Inhalation Exposure; Kidney Diseases; Memory; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Methylmercury Compounds; Occupational Exposure; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 10812838
DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.38.153 -
Journal of Communication Disorders 2015The goal of this review is to summarize the evidence that prenatal and/or early postnatal exposure to certain chemicals, both manmade (insulating materials, flame... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
The goal of this review is to summarize the evidence that prenatal and/or early postnatal exposure to certain chemicals, both manmade (insulating materials, flame retardants, pesticides) and naturally occurring (e.g., lead, mercury), may be associated with delays or impairments in language development. We focus primarily on a subset of more extensively studied chemicals-polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead, and methyl mercury-for which a reasonable body of literature on neurodevelopmental outcomes is available. We also briefly summarize the smaller body of evidence for other chemicals including polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs) and organophosphate pesticides. Very few studies have used specific assessments of language development and function. Therefore, we included discussion of aspects of cognitive development such as overall intellectual functioning and verbal abilities that rely on language, as well as aspects of cognition such as verbal and auditory working memory that are critical underpinnings of language development. A high percentage of prospective birth cohort studies of PCBs, lead, and mercury have reported exposure-related reductions in overall IQ and/or verbal IQ that persist into middle or late childhood. Given these findings, it is important that clinicians and researchers in communication sciences and disorders are aware of the potential for environmental chemicals to impact language development.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The goal of this review is to summarize the evidence that prenatal and/or early postnatal exposure to certain chemicals may be associated with delays or impairments in language development. Readers will gain an understanding of the literature suggesting that early exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead, and mercury may be associated with decrements in cognitive domains that depend on language or are critical for language development. We also briefly summarize the smaller body of evidence regarding polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs) and organophosphate pesticides. Very few studies of exposure to these chemicals have used specific assessments of language development; thus, further investigation is needed before changes in clinical practice can be suggested.
Topics: Age Factors; Child; Child Language; Child, Preschool; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Language Development; Language Development Disorders; Lead Poisoning; Mercury Poisoning; Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PubMed: 26255253
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2015.07.002 -
British Medical Journal May 1962
Topics: Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 13890996
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.5290.1458 -
Anales Del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra 2003Metals are amongst the oldest toxic substances known to man. In today's industrialized world the sources of exposure to metals are ubiquitous both in the field of work... (Review)
Review
Metals are amongst the oldest toxic substances known to man. In today's industrialized world the sources of exposure to metals are ubiquitous both in the field of work and from polluted water, foodstuffs and the environment. Their toxicity is characterized by the metallic element in question, but this is modified by the type of compound, whether organic or inorganic, and its characteristics of hydrosolubility and liposolubility, which determines its toxicokinetics and thus the possibilities of it reaching its targets. The biomolecules most affected by metals are the proteins with enzymatic activity, which is why their pathology is multisystemic. The principal systems affected are the gastrointestinal, central and peripheral neurological, haematic and renal. Some metallic compounds are carcinogenic. Metals's treatment is conditioned by their chemical reactivity. They can be deactivated and eliminated by the administering of chelating agents that produce complex molecules, which are non-toxic and can be excreted. The principal chelating agents are: BAL (British Anti-Lewisite or dimercaprol) DMPS (2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic Acid) and DMSA (meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic or Succimer), EDTA, Penicilamine (b,b-dimethylcysteine) and Deferoxamine. Toxicokinetic characteristics, mechanism of action, clinical picture and treatment of some of the most relevant metals and metalloids: lead, mercury and arsenic, are considered.
Topics: Acute Disease; Arsenic Poisoning; Humans; Lead Poisoning; Mercury Poisoning; Metals
PubMed: 12813482
DOI: No ID Found