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methyl mercury (MeHg, HgCH3)
Methylmercury is a highly toxic substance in humans & in animals. It is neurotoxic, particularly in developing organisms. The placenta is not a barrier to the transfer of methylmercury from the mother to the developing fetus. [1]
Epidemiology:
1) found in contaminated fish
a) king mackerel
b) shark
c) swordfish
d) albacore tuma
e) tilefish (Gulf of Mexico)
2) found in contaminated grain
3) present in dental amalgams?
4) used as a fungicide, disinfectant, & in industrial processes
Pharmacokinetics:
1) readily absorbed following ingestion or inhalation
2) metabolized to Hg+2 by the liver & kidneys
3) 1/2life is 65 days [3]
3) excreted as inorganic mercury, primarily in the feces
Adverse effects:
1) neurotoxic:
a) toxicity may occur at doses as low as 3 ug/kg in humans
b) LD50 21-57.6 mg/kg (rodents)
2) may also increase risk of MI [1]
3) diminished sperm counts
4) possible human carcinogen
5) possibly nephrotoxic
Laboratory:
- methylmercury in tissue
General
small molecule
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM correlations
References
- US Environmental Protection Agency
Integrated Risk Management System
http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0073.htm
- The Risk Assessment Information System
Toxicity Profiles: Toxicity Summary for METHYL MERCURY
http://risk.lsd.ornl.gov/tox/profiles/methyl_mercury_c_V1.shtml
- Diner BM and Brenner BE
eMedicine: Toxicity, Mercury
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/819872-overview
- Physician's First Watch, June 11 2014
David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief
Massachusetts Medical Society
http://www.jwatch.org