AirCycler Bulb Eater 3 - Clinical Importance of Elemental and Inorganic Forms of Mercury

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Table 1. Clinical Importance of Elemental and Inorganic Forms of Mercury
Form
Element
State
Source
Absorption*
Primary Effects
Secondary
Effects
Liquid
Mercury
Hg
0
Thermometers;
barometers; manometers;
fluorescent lamps;
switches; rectifiers;
batteries (1)
Dermal contact –
minimal absorption
Ingestion – poor
absorption
Poorly absorbed
through GI tract
(0.01%) or
dermally;
Systemic toxicity is
rare
None
Mercury
Vapor
Hg
0
Industrial
Inhalation – 80%
absorbed
Percutaneous –
minimal absorption
Lungs, skin, eyes,
gingiva (gums)
CNS**,
kidneys (2)
Mercury Salts
and
Compounds
Hg
+1
Hg
+2
Medicines; antiseptics;
disinfectants; electric
batteries; industrial
compounds
Ingestion – 10%
absorbed
Dermal Contact –
lethal doses can be
absorbed by animals
Kidneys
GI Tract
CNS
Table Abbreviations and Notes
CNS
Central Nervous System
GI
Gastroinstestinal
Hg
Atomic symbol for elemental mercury
*
In humans, the biologic half-life of all forms of mercury is 40-70 days
**
Crosses the blood-brain barrier
(1)
Breakage of any of these devices can result in the release and volatilization of liquid mercury in air as mercury vapor
(2)
Mercury accumulates in many tissues, but most importantly the brain and kidneys