Atomic Number:	80
Atomic Symbol:	Hg
Atomic Weight:	200.59
Electron Configuration:	[Xe]6s24f145d10

SYNONYMS/FORMS	Quicksilver
GENERAL INFORMATION	Mercury vapour is very toxic and cumulative. It exists in several forms, such as elemental or metallic mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. The main targets of mercury are the kidneys and nervous system and can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or absorption. The most common and dangerous route of exposure is inhalation of mercury vapour through the respiratory tract, where ~ 80 % of elemental mercury is absorbed into the blood stream through the alveoli. Mercury readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and placenta due to its high fat solubility. When ingested, only a small amount (0.01%) is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, making toxicity from this route rare. Dermal absorption also is negligible (1)The half-life of elemental mercury in the body is approximately 60 days
SOURCES	Coals plants make up for most of the mercury in the atmosphere. From here, atmospheric mercury contaminates lakes, rivers, oceans and streams. Mercury in these bodies of water can accumulate in the fatty tissues of fish, which makes them a large source of long-term mercury exposure.Medical waste combustion is the fifth largest identifiable source of mercury (2)Various devices and products contain mercury, such as thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, blood pressure monitoring equipment, and batteries.Dental amalgams were a large source of mercury poisoning 15 years ago, but now new filling material does not contain mercury anymore.
EXPOSURE Short-term	The severity of Hg vapour exposure depends on air temperature, amount of mercury spilled, air flow in the room, and the size of the person being exposed.Abdominal pains, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and possibly pneumonia can occur which can eventually lead to death.Severe kidney damage can result with ingestion of inorganic mercury poisoning.
EXPOSURE Long-term	Chronic exposure results in soreness, swelling, bleeding and ulceration of the gums, tongue and oral mucosa with anemia, edema, and body wasting-ending in death.Studies show that long-term ingestion of methylmercury (e.g. through fish) leads to infertility in men and leads to birth defects such as delayed onset of walking, delayed onset of talking, cerebral palsy, altered muscle tone and deep tendon reflexes, and reduced neurological test scores (2)
TOXICITY Signs/Symptoms	Poor balance, weak appetite, constant fatigue, swollen glands, vision disturbances, bulging eyes, swollen tongue, metallic taste in mouth, bleeding/dark spots on gums, nasal congestion, irritable, tremors, impatient, low body temperature, easily excitable, moving white lines on nails (3).
MONITORING Adult Testing	Whole blood: 0-18.0 nmol/LErythrocytes: 0-24.9 nmol/LRandom Urine: 0.0 -15.0 nmol/L 0.00 -1.97 umol/mol creatinine24 hour Urine: 0.0 -20.0 nmol/dHair: 0-5.0 nmol/g
Pediatric Testing	NA
Alert/Action Levels	Elevated blood mercury levels suggest a recent exposure to mercury. > 50 nmol/L: Suggest investigation of possible source of exposure. In general population, the primary source of exposure to mercury is fish consumption. > 100 nmol/L: Suggest consultation with a clinical toxicologist for advice about clinical management, such as chelation therapy.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Precautions	Whole blood >100 nmol/L and urine >100 ug/g creat. (4).
TREATMENT OPTIONS	Chelators such as d-penicillamine, succimer, or dimercaptopropanesulfonate used in chelation therapy to reduce effects of elemental and inorganic mercury toxicity, however efficacy is uncertain.There is no FDA approved chelator for treatment of organic mercury toxicity, however in severe cases of toxicity, the chelator shown to be most effective is succimer (5).
Interactions	Chelation therapy may reduce other elements in the body
REFERENCES	1. http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/mercuryhlthprof.htm 2. Elizabeth Brodkin et al. Lead and mercury exposures: interpretation and action. CMAJ 2007; 176:59. 3. Clarkson TW, Magos L, Myers GJ. The toxicology of mercury - current exposures and clinical manifestations. N Engl J Med 2003;349:1731-7.4. 1998 Guidelines to Physicians in conducting mercury medical surveillance programs, The Chlorine Inst., Pamphlet 1565. Goldman LR., Shannon M.W., Technical report: mercury in the environment: Implications for pediatricians, Pediatrics 2001;108:197-205.

 

Sample Requirements (click on cell)
 

Whole Blood

Erythrocytes

Urine

Hair

Tissue

Reference range

Analyte Mercury
Whole Blood	Erythrocytes	Random Urine	24 Hour Urine	Hair
0-18.0 nmol/L	0-24.9 nmol/L	0.0 -15.0 nmol/L   0.00 -1.97 umol/mol creatinine	0.0 -20.0 nmol/d	0-5.0 nmol/g

 

** Reference range is tissue dependent.

Method of Analysis:  High Resolution ICP/MS

Test available:  Monday - Friday 0800 - 1600 h
Turnaround Time:  Average 5-10 days
Maximum 10 days