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IPEN Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook OrganometalsOrganomercury Compounds Chemical Name: The main compound of concern is methyl mercury (HgCH3). CAS Number: 22967-92-6 Properties: Solubility in water: at 25°C; vapour pressure: mm Hg at 20°C; log KOW: Production/Uses: There are many sources of mercury release to the environment, both natural (volcanoes, mercury deposits, and volatilization from the ocean) and human-related (coal combustion, chlorine alkali processing, waste incineration, and metal processing). It is also used in thermometers, batteries, lamps, industrial processes, refining, lubrication oils, and dental amalgams. Methyl mercury has no industrial uses; it is formed in the environment from the methylation of the inorganic mercurial ion mainly by microscopic organisms in the water and soil. Persistence/Fate: Mercury released into the environment can either stay close to its source for long periods, or be widely dispersed on a regional or even worldwide basis. Not only are methylated mercury compounds toxic, but highly bioaccumulative as well. The increase in mercury as it rises in the aquatic food chain results in relatively high levels of mercury in fish consumed by humans. Ingested elemental mercury is only 0.01% absorbed, but methyl mercury is nearly 100% absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The biological half-life of mercury is 60 days. Toxicity: Long-term exposure to either inorganic or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. The most sensitive target of low level exposure to metallic and organic mercury following short or long term exposures appears to be the nervous system. Source: UNEP Chemicals, Regional Reports of the Regionally Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances Program (2002) Available from: http://www.chem.unep.ch/pts UNEP Chemicals 11-13, chemin des Anemones CH-1219 Chatelaine, GE Switzerland. 
IPEN Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook - 2003 |
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