8 mercury poisoning Flashcards
what is the natural cycling of mercury (Hg)?
what is organic vs inorganic mercury?
-organic: attached to carbon containing
-inorganic: no carbon
how much has human-based mercury emissions affected us?
-ocean surface levels have increased 2-5 fold
-dramatic Hg increases attributed to arctic thaws
-human activity have atmospheric Hg levels 450% above natural levels
what is a synchrotron?
-particle accelerator
-accelerating electrons
-synchrotron light
what is x-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI)?
-synchrotron light on sample-translated into 2-D image
-elemental distributions (and quantitation)
what is the x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)?
what is methylmercury (MeHg) toxic action?
-route of exposure: fish and seafood
-primary target: brain and CNS
-impacts on sensory systems
what was the Minamata tragedy (the story of Cat 717)?
-1950s-1960s minamata japan, a neurological disease sweeping the town
-local industry plant assumed to be at fault
what is the Chisso corporation Ltd?
-now JNC (circa 2012)
-inorganic mercury used as catalyst to produce acetaldehyde through the hydration of acetylene
-process utilized from 1932 to 1968
what is dancing cat syndrome?
-excessive salivation, violent movements, death
-famous experiments conducted on cats by Dr. Hosokawa
what was the previous work on cat 717?
Eto et al analyzed total mercury, methylmercury in industrial waste and organs
-detected little MeHg in the industrial waste, compared to total Hg
-detected little MeHg in Cat 717 organs, compared to total Hg
-Cat 717 brain changes and signs (symptoms) were very similar to those human minamata cases, characteristic of organic Hg
what is was the scientific discussion and debate?
-published science is peer-reviewed first
-it then becomes public (in a way)
-generating discussion is important
what can be chronic exposure to mercury in humans?
differences between chronic and acute mercury poisonings?
-chronic: Hg mostly organic
-acute: Hg mostly inorganic
