Mercury Flashcards
what can mercury do to the brain
demyelination
what are the 3 forms of mercury
elemental, inorganic and organic
where is elemental mercury often found
in thermometers
what state is elemental mercury at room temperature
liquid
what is inorganic mercury
mercury bound to other elements
what is often mercury combined with in inorganic mercury
chloride
what are 2 types of organic mercury
methylmercury and dimethylmercury
where is methylmercury often found
in fish
what is the deal with dimethylmercury
a few millilitres can kill and it easily passes through the skin
what is the deal with mercury vapour
it is readily absorbed via the lungs so it is extremely hazardous
does mercury vapour absorb in the lungs easily? what %
yes, 80%
what happens if you swallow elemental mercury liquid
non toxic actually
what happens once you inhale elemental mercury
catalase in RBC convert it into inorganic or divalent form
how does elemental mercury accumulate in the CNS
because it is ionized so then its trapped once it enters the CNS
where does mercury get accumulated in the body
CNS
how does elemental mercury stay in the CNS (why is it trapped)
because it is ionized
what are the symptoms of ionized elemental mercury accumulation similar to
symptoms to inorganic poisoning
how is inorganic mercury often found
as metallic mercury (Hg) or as salts: Hg+ or Hg2+ often as Hg- chloride or sulfide
what is inorganic mercury often used for
batteries, plastics, fungicides
what are 2 bad things about inorganic mercury (general)
toxic, corrosive
what is the primary route of inorganic mercury entry
oral
what is oral entry of inorganic mercury absorption
poor, 10%
what is cinnabar
mercury sulfide
besides oral, how else can inorganic mercury enter the body
through skin
where does inorganic mercury accumulate + how
renal tubules via OATs
how does inorganic mercury accumulate in the renal tubules
via OATs