Methyl mercury is an organic mercury compound. It
has been produced as an industrial compound and marketed
as a pesticide. It is also used in some vaccinations
and dental amalgams.
Methyl mercury is the predominant form of organic
mercury found in the environment. It is formed my
microorganisms from elemental mercury deposited from
the air or discharged into water from natural or human
sources.
Humans are primarily exposed to methyl mercury through
consumption of fish containing high levels of mercury.
The toxicity of methyl mercury in humans is dependent
on the route of exposure, dose, and age of the exposed
individual. It is most toxic in the central nervous
system (CNS), and the kidneys and immune system may
also be affected. |
