Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 13
Mercury and Public Health
An Assessment of Human Exposure
WENDY McKELVEY and EMILY OKEN
The toxicity of mercury and mercury-containing rem-
edies has also long been recognized. In the 16th century,
Paracelsus, the Swiss physician and alchemist, noted
harmful effects resulting from high or prolonged doses.
The concomitant toxic and presumed curative properties
of mercury prompted him to write: “What is there that is
not poison? All things are poison and nothing (is) with-
out poison. Solely the dose determines that a thing is not
a poison” (Deichmann et al., 1986). This statement is com-
monly paraphrased as, “The dose makes the poison.”
Mercury has many useful properties that have perhaps
contributed toward a tendency to overlook its toxicity. Its
ability to control the growth of microorganisms led to its use
as a fungicide on seed grain and in interior and exterior latex
paint, as a topical antiseptic, and as a preservative in cos-
metics, eye drops, and vaccination vials. Elemental mercury
responds quickly and evenly to changes in temperature and
pressure, making it a prime candidate for use in thermome-
ters, barometers, manometers (such as blood pressure gauges)
and other measuring devices. Its electrical and chemi-
cal properties have led to its use in thermostats, switches,
fl uorescent lights, batteries, and industrial processes. It has
a high refl ective index and can be found in antique mir-
rors, painted behind sheets of glass as an amalgam with tin
(Goldwater, 1972). It easily forms alloys with other metals,
and the process of amalgamation followed by burning is still
used to recover gold from ore. Amalgams of mercury with
silver and other metals have been used to fi ll dental caries
for over a century. The interesting appearance of this metal
in its liquid state has also led to its use in children's toys and
necklaces (Washington State Department of Health, 2008).
Humans may be exposed to mercury in three chemical
forms:
. Inorganic compounds, which refer to mercury combined
with chlorine, sulfur, oxygen and other noncarbon groups.
EXPOSURE SOURCES AND HEALTH EFFECTS
Methylmercury in Fish
Ethylmercury in Vaccines
Elemental Mercury in Dental Amalgams
Mercury in Teething Powders, Laxatives, and “Traditional
Medicine Products”
Mercury in Skin Care Products and Antiseptics
Ritualistic or Cultural Use of Elemental Mercury
Occupational Exposures and Elemental Mercury Spills
Organomercurials as Fungicides on Seed Grain and in Latex Paint
DERIVATION OF EXPOSURE GUIDELINES FOR METHYLMERCURY
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE TO MERCURY
BIOMONITORING FOR MERCURY EXPOSURE IN HUMAN
POPULATIONS
Mercury Levels in Blood and Hair
Mercury Levels in Urine
FUTURE BIOMONITORING EFFORTS
REGULATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING
EXPOSURE TO MERCURY
Fish Consumption Advisories
CONCLUSION
Historically, humans have suffered toxic effects of mercury
as a result of purposeful as well as accidental exposures.
Mercury has been used in medical remedies for centuries.
Some scientists believe it was used during the Middle Ages
to treat diseases that manifested with skin lesions, such as
syphilis and leprosy (Goldwater, 1972; Rasmussen et al.,
2008). Earlier medicinal uses have been documented in
China, India, and the Middle East (Goldwater, 1972). Mer-
cury is still used medicinally in some parts of the world
(Liu et al., 2008; Saper et al., 2008).
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