Warning: mkdir(): Permission denied in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 81

Warning: fopen(upload/ip_log/ip_log_2024-09.txt): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 83

Warning: fwrite() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 84
Evaluation of mercury exposure level, clinical diagnosis and treatment for mercury intoxication
Skip Navigation
Skip to contents

Ann Occup Environ Med : Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

OPEN ACCESS
SEARCH
Search

Articles

Page Path
HOME > Ann Occup Environ Med > Volume 28; 2016 > Article
Review Evaluation of mercury exposure level, clinical diagnosis and treatment for mercury intoxication
Byeong-Jin Ye,, Byoung-Gwon Kim,, Man-Joong Jeon, Se-Yeong Kim, Hawn-Cheol Kim, Tae-Won Jang, Hong-Jae Chaeorcid, Won-Jun Choi, Mi-Na Ha, Young-Seoub Hong,
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2016;28:5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0086-8
Published online: January 22, 2016

Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Dong-A University Hospital, 26, Daesingongwon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea

Department of Preventive Medicine, Collage of Medicine, Dong-A University, 32, Daesingongwon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea

Heavy-Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University, 32, Daesingongwon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea

Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Collage of Medicine, Young-Nam University, 170, Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea

Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine & Institute of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Pusan Paik Hospital, InJe University, 75, Bokji-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea

Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Inha University Hospital, 27, Inhang-Ro, Jung-Gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, 222, Banpo-Daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, KS Hospital, 220, Wangbeodeul-ro, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea

Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, 21, Namdong-daero 774beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea

Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University, 119, Dandae-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea

• Received: August 16, 2015   • Accepted: December 17, 2015

© Ye et al. 2016

Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

  • 171 Views
  • 2 Download
  • 132 Web of Science
  • 115 Crossref
  • 153 Scopus
prev next
  • Mercury occurs in various chemical forms, and it is different to health effects according to chemical forms. In consideration of the point, the evaluation of the mercury exposure to human distinguished from occupational and environmental exposure.
    With strict to manage occupational exposure in factory, it is declined mercury intoxication cases by metallic and inorganic mercury inhalation to occupational exposure. It is increasing to importance in environmental exposure and public health.
    The focus on the health impact of exposure to mercury is more on chronic, low or moderate grade exposure—albeit a topic of great controversy—, not high concentration exposure by methylmercury, which caused Minamata disease.
    Recently, the issue of mercury toxicity according to the mercury exposure level, health effects as well as the determination of what mercury levels affect health are in the spotlight and under active discussion. Evaluating the health effects and Biomarker of mercury exposure and establishing diagnosis and treatment standards are very difficult.
    It can implement that evaluating mercury exposure level for diagnosis by a provocation test uses chelating agent and conducting to appropriate therapy according to the result. but, indications for the therapy of chelating agents with mercury exposure have not yet been fully established.
    The therapy to symptomatic patients with mercury poisoning is chelating agents, combination therapy with chelating agents, plasma exchange, hemodialysis, plasmapheresis. But the further evaluations are necessary for the effects and side effects with each therapy.
Mercury has been used for nearly 3000 years of human history. The metal is still widely used in many areas, including making thermometers, barometers, manometers, whitening cosmetics, and dental amalgam. Occupational mercury intoxication occurred frequently in the workers of the hat manufacturing factories of Europe in the nineteenth century. In Korea, victims of mercury poisoning due to occupational exposure to a high concentration were seen in the thermometer manufacturing, fluorescent lamp manufacturing, and waste reprocessing industries from the 1980s to the early 2000s. Recently, stricter environmental management of worksites reduced mercury intoxication cases caused by inhalation of metal and inorganic mercury in workplaces. However, given that many workers are still being exposed to mercury in various occupations, the possibility of mercury intoxication by occupational exposure still exists, and interventions are necessary for such cases.
The health hazards of mercury became well known and gained worldwide attention due to the 1956 outbreak of Minamata disease in Japan. In the incident, methylmercury, formed as a byproduct of chemical compound (acetaldehyde) production in a fertilizer factory, was released to the nearby shore for a long time, which polluted the marine ecosystem including the fish and shellfish. About 5000 of the residents who ate seafood from the area died or suffered injury. Later, damage cases caused by the mercury were also reported in Iraq, Iran, and Tanzania. Recently, the significance of mercury as an environmental toxin has been highlighted, as seen in the conclusion of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. International cooperation has also gained increased importance for addressing the problem of mercury, since the metal migrates and circulates throughout the globe.
The global mercury issue is drawing more attention in Korea, given that the level of human exposure to mercury in the country has been rated high. According to the 2009 and 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), the geometric means of the blood mercury concentration levels in Korean adults were 4.28 ug/L and 3.64 ug/L in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Furthermore, the 2009 and 2010 Korean National Environmental Health Survey reported the geometric means of the blood mercury concentration levels to be 3.93 ug/L and 2.88 ug/L, respectively. Despite varying levels reported among the surveys, blood mercury concentration levels in Korea are reported to range from 2.88 ug/L to 4.28 ug/L. That is about four to six times higher than that of the U.S. (0.86 ug/L), Germany(0.58 μg/L) or Canada (0.76 ug/L) [13]. Furthermore, considering that about 26.2 % of the population in Korea is estimated to exceed the limit of the blood mercury exposure level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [4], Korea shows a much higher exposure level to mercury than do advanced countries.
The recent focus on the health impact of exposure to mercury is more on chronic, low or moderate grade exposure—albeit a topic of great controversy—, not high concentration exposure by methylmercury, which caused Minamata disease, as in the past. The results of the three key epidemiological studies conducted in the Faroe Islands, Seychelles, and New Zealand, which aimed at evaluating the health impact of mercury, have great implications for the danger of low grade mercury exposure. Nevertheless, the health hazards of mercury manifest themselves in widely varying forms. In addition, treatment of mercury intoxication caused by mercury exposure has received little research attention. Recently, the issue of mercury toxicity according to the mercury exposure level as well as the determination of what mercury levels affect health are in the spotlight and under active discussion. In this study, we review the recent research findings on the methods of diagnosis and treatment of mercury poisoning according to the exposure level of mercury.
General characteristics of mercury
Mercury occurs in several forms including metallic, inorganic, and organic compounds. Its patterns in terms of ecosystem circulation, accumulation, exposure to the human body, biological effects, and toxicity depend on the characteristics of the different mercury forms. Metallic mercury is commonly absorbed through the respiratory tract. Because it forms globules, it is hardly absorbed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and thus is harmless when taken orally. In addition, being fat soluble, it readily passes through the alveolar cell barrier and oxidizes to inorganic mercury, and combines with protein and exerts a cumulative effect. The mercury absorbed in the body mainly goes to the kidneys and brain. The half-life of mercury in the body is about 70 days.
Inorganic mercury is mainly absorbed through the respiratory tract, yet to a small extent is also absorbed through the skin (3–4 %) or GI tract (2–10 %). However, unlike metallic mercury, inorganic mercury cannot penetrate the blood–brain barrier and commonly ends up building up in the kidney, the target organ. The main excretory pathways include the urine and feces, with about two months’ half-life. Inorganic mercury discharged to the natural environment flows into the sea, river, or stream. In the water, it converts into metallic mercury by bacteria and plankton. Then it accumulates in the body of aquatic organisms including fish and shellfish. Finally, when humans eat the seafood, the mercury enters the human body in the form of metallic mercury. Methylmercury, a major type of organic mercury, exerts fatal toxic effects on the human body. In the natural environment, it is commonly found in the form of monomethylmercury and dimethylmercury. Methylmercury is easily absorbed into the GI tract (≥95 %) and into the respiratory tract (≈80 %). About 90 % of methylmercury is excreted to the feces via bile, and less than 10 % to the urine. The absorbed mercury is distributed throughout all tissues within 30 h. Its half-life ranges from 45 to 70 days. As both metallic and organic mercury easily cross the blood–brain barrier and placenta, they can be excreted in breast milk and transmitted to the fetus.
Biological pathway to exposure of mercury
The pathways of exposure to mercury include the following: (a) ingestion of food, (b) inhalation or absorption (via the skin) of mercury vapor at worksites, (c) exposure during the processing of industrial and household wastes, and (d) use of pharmaceutical drugs or cosmetics. Similarly, mercury which passes into the human body through pathways such as the digestive system, respiratory system, and the skin, is absorbed within the body in varying rates, depending on the form of the mercury compound. In 2012, the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) reported on the exposure contribution rate by medium in different age groups, based on the data on mercury concentrations in food. According to the report, the exposure contribution rate of inhalation from the air was 0.47–0.83 %, ingestion of drinking water (tap water) was 0.01–0.02 %, and ingestion of soil, 0.03–0.32 %; all of them were highest in infants and toddlers. The study also reported that the major medium of mercury exposure was food, as shown by the fact that mercury exposure by ingestion of food accounted for 98.85–99.48 % [5].
Biological indices of mercury exposure
“Biomarker” is a widely used term, signifying an indicator of a condition of the body or biological samples. Biomarkers are largely categorized into markers of exposure, markers of effect, and markers of susceptibility (NAS/NRC, 1989). The mercury absorbed in the body builds up in each type of tissue, including the hair, distributed through the blood. Therefore, the most accurate way to measure the amount of mercury in the body would be measuring mercury concentration levels in each organ tissue. However, as this would involve great difficulty, the common method of mercury measurement is to use samples of the blood, urine, hair, or fingernail. According to studies on occupational mercury exposure, recent exposure to mercury is reflected in the blood and urine mercury concentration levels [6, 7]. Nonetheless, in remarkably low concentration levels of mercury exposure, the association between the exposure and blood or urine mercury concentration levels was low [8]. The mean mercury concentration levels in the general population in whole blood and urine were observed to be 1–8 μg /L and 4–5 μg /L, respectively [7]. Recently, the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) set the average blood mercury concentration level in those who do not eat fish at 2 μg /L. Such blood and urine mercury concentration levels signify background concentrations, the mean concentration level in the general population.

Blood mercury concentration

Blood mercury concentrations rapidly increase immediately after or during brief exposure. Therefore, the measurement also needs to take place right after the exposure [9]. However, in cases of those who have been chronically exposed to mercury, blood mercury concentration levels maintained a high level even when the exposure has ceased, due to the heavy burden of mercury on the body [8].
In the meantime, the concentration level of methylmercury—which accounts for the largest share in the blood—is known to be linked with the amount of mercury we are exposed to daily, according to the equation in Fig. 1 [7]. Furthermore, although the concentration level of methylmercury in red blood cells is high in acute poisoning, it varies widely in chronic intoxication. The mercury concentration in whole blood is usually lower than 10 μg/L, but the value of 20 μg/L or below is considered normal. The blood mercury concentration can rise to 35 μg/L after long-term exposure to mercury vapor [10].

Urine mercury concentration

Urine mercury concentration is very stable and relatively simple, due to the characteristic of the medium. Moreover, it is a quick means of identifying those exposed to mercury. However, because organic mercury represents a very small portion of urine mercury, urine mercury is more useful for the analysis of metallic or inorganic mercury compounds. In addition, workers exposed to mercury over the long term exhibit high levels of urine mercury concentration for a long period of time, as seen in the blood mercury concentration, due to a burden of mercury on the body [10]. When the urine mercury concentration exceeds 100 μg/L, neurological symptoms can develop, and the level of 800 μg/L or above can be fatal. Organic mercury such as methylmercury is usually excreted to the feces. Hence, urine concentration levels cannot reflect organic mercury concentration levels of the body [11].

Hair mercury concentration

While 80–90 % of hair is composed of keratin, which contains an amino acid group high in sulfhydryl groups and thus easily combines with metal. Therefore, with exposure to mercury, the mercury concentration can become high in hair, and hair can show the level of mercury exposure that has occurred over a long period of time. Hair mercury concentration is also known to be proportionate to blood mercury concentration. Such an association can be applied to evaluate blood mercury concentration by measuring hair mercury concentration. The migration of mercury to hair is irreversible. Therefore, a decrease in hair mercury concentration only occurs when hair falls out of the scalp {Nielsen, 1991 #721}. Hair mercury concentration is used as a biomarker of chronic exposure to methylmercury. Once mercury combines with hair, it never separates and remains consistently [1214]. Extensive studies have been performed on the association between hair mercury concentration and blood mercury concentration [1521]. After exposure to methylmercury, total mercury levels in hair and blood can be used as biomarkers of mercury intoxication. The hair-to-blood mercury concentration ratios set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are 250:1 [22] and 250–300: 1 [23], respectively. Similarly, the ratio set by a 2010 Korean study on 1200 residents of a region was about 278.5:1 [24]. The internationally recommended limit of hair mercury concentration is 1 mg/kg as proposed by the WHO. However, hair mercury concentration analysis results alone cannot be used to discern whether one is exposed to or intoxicated by mercury. Generally, hair mercury concentration does not exceed 10 mg/kg. However, in moderate mercury poisoning, the concentration level ranges between 200 and 800 mg/kg, and in severe intoxication it goes up to 2400 mg/kg. The WHO recommends the monitoring of methylmercury concentration in pregnant women’s hair and argues that the level of 10 ppm or above can increase the risk of fetal neurological defects [25].
Other clinical laboratory tests
Mercury occurs in various physical and chemical forms and can convert from one form to another inside the body. In general outpatient settings, blood and urine mercury concentrations generally indicate the total mercury concentration level, without indicating the concentrations of organic, non-organic, or metallic mercury specifically [26].
The general laboratory tests to evaluate mercury intoxication include complete blood cell count, electrolyte assays, and renal and hepatic function tests. Electrocardiography (ECG), pulmonary function test (PFT), cardiovascular monitoring, electroneuromyography, and neuropsychological tests are also used for the evaluation [10]. Regarding the lab tests to evaluate the influence of mercury exposure to health, the results of the tests which examine abnormalities in the neurological or kidney function that show mercury toxicity have an association with blood or urine mercury concentration. Nonetheless, most lab tests did not exhibit mercury specificity and thus the results were considered to be affected by other factors. There have been many studies on the association between kidney function or neurological changes and urine mercury concentration. Malfunction in the kidney was widely studied as a sensitive indicator of mercury exposure. However, in numerous studies, renal function parameters were interdependent [27]. The neurophysiological or neuropsychiatric influence of mercury has been extensively researched on the individuals occupationally exposed to mercury. The neurological changes induced by mercury have been demonstrated to be similar to those of other chemical elements affecting the brain. The association between urine mercury concentration and performance in a memory test and language intelligence test has been established [28]. The possible biomarkers of autoimmune effects of mercury include anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody, anti-DNA antibody, serum immunoglobulin E compounds, and total immunoglobulin E [29].
Guidelines for mercury exposure level

Workplace environment

Mercury exposure at workplaces handling mercury is the most critical and dangerous exposure channel. The mercury exposure limit at workplaces is set by each country, according to its occupational exposure limits. In Korea, the Ministry of Employment and Labor established the exposure limit for the workplace environment in 2013 as the following: time weighted average (TWA) for aryl mercury compounds: 0.1 mg/m3; TWA for alkyl mercury compounds: 0.01 mg/m3; short term exposure limit (STEL): 0.03 mg/m3; and TWA for other substances, excluding aryl and alkyl compounds: 0.025 mg/m3 [30].

General environment

The mercury exposure limit in the general environment also varies. Mercury should not be found in water, and the limit of mercury compounds is set to be 5 mg/m3 or lower in the air. The worrisome level (WL) of soil contamination in farmland and industrial areas or factories is suggested to be 4 mg/kg and 16 mg/kg, respectively. The soil contamination countermeasure standard (CS) in farmlands and industrial areas or factories is 10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively. Regarding mercury in food, Europe, international bodies, and developed countries suggest varying permissible limits. The EU suggests a maximum level (ML) for mercury, while the U.S. suggests limits on mercury as a harmful substance. However, in general, the permissible limits are suggested for seafood and limited to only some processed foods. For permissible limits of mercury exposure to the human body, international organizations and advanced countries set provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for mercury. They tend to reinforce the limits for methylmercury. The U.S. and Netherlands propose the PTWI to be 0.7 μg/kg body weight/week, the lowest among different countries, while Japan suggests a higher methylmercury exposure limit than others, which is 2.0 μg/kg body weight/week.
Diagnosis criteria for mercury intoxication
Evaluating the influence of mercury exposure to health and establishing treatment standards are very difficult. In general, the health effects of mercury exposure have been studied and reported with the focus on occupational exposure and exposure due to accidents. Studies on the mercury exposure levels in the general population have been conducted using various methodologies, and in many cases, exposure to mercury via food ingestion implies the greatest possibility of health consequences among exposure pathways. Health impacts from food occur with very low concentrations of mercury and usually do not warrant treatment. Thus, the mercury levels requiring treatment in cases of mercury exposure by food ingestion should be set higher than the threshold mercury concentration level known to affect health, and the treatment strategy should be implemented accordingly.
Different studies have recommended varying mercury concentration thresholds at which health impacts of mercury exposure should be evaluated. A study that reviewed several sets of data including those of the 2005 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [31], 2004 U.S. EPA [32], and 2001 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) [33] established the normal mercury concentration range to be 4.6 μg/L and 4.0 nmol Hg per mmol creatinine and below, for blood mercury and urine mercury, respectively, which are the 95th percentile in normal adults.
The study also suggested the mercury limit for vigilance regarding meaningful exposure sources such as occupational exposure or food ingestion and for setting reduction measures to be 10.0 μg/L and 19.8 nmol Hg per mmol creatinine, for blood mercury and urine mercury, respectively. The concentration level which warrants clinical interventions was proposed to be 40.0 μg/L or higher for the blood mercury level. For the urine mercury concentration alone, the data was insufficient; thus the limit for the concentration level to initiate treatment was not suggested [34]. Another study also noted that interventions need to be considered for cases in which mercury-related symptoms exist and the blood mercury concentration is 100 μg/L or higher, as well as asymptomatic cases with 200 μg/L or higher blood mercury concentrations [35].
To date, there are no universal diagnostic criteria for mercury overload. A review in the U.S. in 2012 suggested that when mercury is excreted in the urine at levels in the NHANES reference range of 2 standard deviations or higher by a provocation test, the victim is overexposed to mercury [36]. The biological exposure parameter for mercury, as set by the U.S. federal Biological Exposure Index (BEI) is 50 microgram/L in the urine. This reflects the present or recent exposure level, not the mercury body burden. Some studies have reported meaningful toxicity symptoms at 50 microgram/L or lower concentrations [37, 38]. According to Kazantzis, it has been impossible to establish the mercury concentration level in blood or urine that manifests mercury-related physical symptoms [39]. While establishing mercury concentration levels in blood or urine that warrant treatment is difficult, a provocation test is considered to be a reliable tool. The test uses chelating agents such as 2,3 dimercapto-1-propanesulfonate (DMPS) and can reflect the accumulated amount of mercury in the body [40]. Indications for a provocation test are as follows: (1) Does the victim exhibit various and unclear symptoms related to mercury exposure? (2) Has the victim overeaten seafood, had amalgam fillings, or been vaccinated with substances containing thimerosal? (3) Has the victim been occupationally exposed to mercury? (4) Does the victim have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or diseases related to mercury exposure? (5) Does the victim have glutathione transferase (GST) polymorphisms?
General supportive treatment
When mercury poisoning is suspected, an interview with a victim to take a detailed history of environmental exposure to mercury, an occupational history, and physical examination all need to be undertaken. Whether the victim had chronic or acute exposure needs to be determined, and identification of a mercury exposure source and removal of the source must be carried out. The victim’s airway, respiratory and cardiovascular status should also be evaluated. If necessary, clothing should be removed. In case of skin exposure, the skin needs to be washed with water and soap. If the eyes were exposed, cleansing with saline is necessary [41]. In case a person has drunk or inhaled mercury, the respiratory status of the victim including oxygen saturation needs to be carefully observed. If the victim exhibits symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, a chest X-ray and arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) need to be performed, and intubation and artificial ventilation should be prepared [41]. If intubation is to be performed, eliminating liquid mercury through tracheal suction is helpful in removing contamination.
In case inorganic mercury compounds (H0) were ingested and there is no vomiting or aspiration, observation and symptom management are needed until mercury is excreted out of the body. At the same time, a kidney-ureter-bladder X-ray (KUB) may be used to track movement of mercury through the GI tract. In case of ingestion of inorganic mercury compounds such as mercury (II) chloride (HgCl2), the condition needs to be treated the same way as in a case of corrosive substance ingestion, due to the risk of damaging and perforating the GI tract mucosa. In case of acute GI poisoning, symptomatic treatment such as evaluation of the airway, respiration, and cardiovascular status is essential. Extensive intravenous therapy is necessary for a symptomatic victim. Collaboration among the ear, nose, throat (ENT), general surgery, and gastroenterology departments is also needed. In addition, the condition of the laryngopharynx and GI tract needs to be checked in a fasting state. If the examined areas are intact, gastric irrigation using charcoal should be performed [42]. Finally, blood dialysis is an essential intervention in treating kidney failure caused by inorganic mercury intoxication. For blood dialysis, evaluation of kidney functioning should be performed.
Treatment with chelating agents
Symptomatic patients with mercury poisoning warrant immediate treatment with chelating agents. However, it is unclear whether therapy with chelating agents is truly beneficial in severely intoxicated patients. Furthermore, indications for the therapy have not yet been fully established.
Chelating agents that can be used for acute inorganic mercury (Hg0 or Hg++) poisoning include dimercaprol (British Anti-Lewisite, BAL), D-penicillamine (DPCN), dimercaptopropane sulfonate (DMPS), and succimer (dimercaptosuccinic acid, DMSA). Currently, no chelation agents have been approved for methylmercury or ethylmercury by the U.S. FDA. Notably, BAL is absolutely contraindicated for the treatment of organic mercury intoxication [43].
DPCN is a water-soluble derivative of penicillin. It increases the excretion of lead and mercury through the urine. For mercury poisoning, adults are treated with 250 mg of DPCN orally, four times a day over one to two weeks. Children are treated with 20–30 mg/kg of DPCN (maximum 250 mg/dose) daily divided into four doses. However, DPCN is used only for metallic and inorganic mercury poisoning, not for organic mercury poisoning [44]. Adverse effects of the agent include leukopenia, thrombopenia, aplastic anemia, proteinuria, hematuresis, and nephrotic syndrome. Recently, DMSA has frequently been used to replace DPCN, given its strong ability to transport metal and fewer side effects. The agent needs to be used with care [10].
Dimercaprol, or BAL, can be administered by intramuscular injection only, which causes pain. The agent has a narrow therapeutic window and a risk of allergic reaction. Recent substitutes for BAL include DMSA and DMPS. It is highly water-soluble and can be administered orally, intravenously, rectally, and percutaneously.
DMSA has a half-life of about three hours, which can be prolonged in children and those who have mercury poisoning. When administered orally, its absorption rate is about 20 %. The agent increases urine excretion of methylmercury and inorganic mercury. In animal tests, it was found to be effective in promoting the excretion of methylmercury from the brain. Accordingly, it is the most commonly used chelating agent for severe methylmercury poisoning. It can be taken orally and its adverse effects can be minimized. While mucocutaneous eruption and toxic epidermal necrosis may occur very rarely as adverse effects, the conditions resolve when administration of the drug is stopped [45].
The absorption rate of DMPS is about 39 % when taken orally, which is higher than that of DMSA. As DMPS is also more stable than DMSA, it is more frequently given intravenously. Its half-life is around 20 h after intravenous administration. DMPS also promotes the excretion of methylmercury and inorganic mercury in the urine. In animal tests, DMPS was more effective in removing methylmercury through the kidneys than DMSA. However, DMPS was not effective in removing methylmercury from the brain [46]. The following is an overview of the chelating drugs for mercury intoxication (Table 1).
Table 1
Overview of chelation drugs for mercury intoxication
Chemical name (common names, abbreviations) Dose Adverse effect Elements chelated
2,3-bis(sulfanyl)butanedioic acid (Dimercaptosuccinic acid; DMSA; Succimer) 10 mg/kg (or 350 mg/m2) q 8 h for 5 days, then 10 mg/kg q 12 h for 14 days (a total of 19 days), P.O. Gastrointestinal disturbances, mild increase in serum transaminase Lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, silver, tin, copper
Sodium 2,3-bis(sulfanyl)propane-1-sulfonate (Sodium (Dimercaptopropanesulfonate; DMPS; Dimaval) 5 mg/kg q 6–8 h, P.O., I.M.,I.V., SQ Low back (kidney) pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, skin rash, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions Mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, tin, silver, copper selenium, zinc, magnesium
Children: 5-day courses of 200 or 400 mg of DMPS per m2 surface area per day
(2S)-2-amino-3-methyl-3-sulfanylbutanoic acid (3-Sulfanyl-D-valine; Penicillamine; D- Penicillamine) 10 mg/kg/d for 7 days with a possibility of a prolonged treatment during 2 to 3 weeks, P.O. Interstitial nephritis, hypersensitivity reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia Copper, arsenic, zinc, mercury, lead
2,3-bis(sulfanyl)propan-1-ol (Dimercaprol; British Anti-Lewisite; BAL) 50–75 mg/m2 q 4 h for 5 days, deep I.M. Allergy, gastrointestinal symptoms, tachycardia, fever, elevation of liver function tests Arsenic, gold, mercury, lead (BAL in combination with)
Combination therapy with chelating agents
One of the important topics related to heavy metal toxicity treatment at present is combination therapy. Administering DMSA and MiADMSA concurrently was found to be more effective than administration of MiADMSA alone. Not only that, the combination therapy was effective in controlling lipid peroxidation as well as the activity level of catalase. Such effects also help reduce the amount of chelating agents, promote better clinical recovery, and minimize side effects [47].
Plasma exchange-hemodialysis-plasmapheresis
Plasma exchange should be initiated within 24–36 h from the diagnosis of mercury poisoning, when a patient’s life is at risk and there is no other stable treatment alternative. Hemodialysis is the best option when a pollutant is hydrosoluble and dialyzable. It is also necessary when a victim develops renal failure. Nonetheless, some toxic substances bind with plasma proteins and are difficult to separate through hemodialysis. Plasmapheresis removes heavy metals bound with protein in plasma, such as mercury [48]. In treatments involving chelating agents alone, the elimination half-life of inorganic mercury ranges from about 30 to 100 days. In comparison, when DMPS and hemodialysis are used together, the elimination half-life decreases to two to eight days [49].
Mercury is an environmental toxin commonplace in the general environment with increasing importance in recent years. It has been determined that it is not only harmful to the health of vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children, but is also toxic to ordinary adults in various ways. Recent studies consistently suggest that chronic exposure even to low concentration levels of mercury can cause cardiovascular toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. In this study, considering all these characteristics of mercury, we evaluated the proposed mercury exposure thresholds based on recent research findings, and reviewed both the current national and international understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of mercury intoxication. We hope this study will be helpful for management, diagnosis, and treatment of mercury exposure.
This paper was supported by Dong-A University Research Fund and The Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Research Fund.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

BJ is the lead author of this article and has drafted the manuscript. BG is the corresponding author of this article and has proofread the article. YS and MN are the co-author of this article and has made the section of introduction. MJ, HC and TW are the co-author of this article and have made the section of the treatment with BJ. SY , HJ and WJ are the co-author of this article and have made the section of the diagnosis with BG. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

  • 1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fourth national report on human exposure to environmental chemicals, updated tables. 2012.
  • 2. Becker K, Kaus S, Krause C, Lepom P, Schulz C, Seiwert M, et al. German Environmental Survey 1998 (GerES III): environmental pollutants in blood of the German population. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2002;205(4):297–308. 10.1078/1438-4639-00155. 12068749.ArticlePubMed
  • 3. Wong SL, Lye EJ. Lead, mercury and cadmium levels in Canadians. Health Rep 2008;19(4):31–6. 19226925.
  • 4. Korea Ministry of Environment. Mercury level in Korea. 2010, Seoul: Ministry of Environment.
  • 5. Food K, Administration D. Oral intake metal integrated hazard evaluation report -mercury. 2012, Korea Food Drug Administration: Seoul.
  • 6. Naleway C, Chou HN, Muller T, Dabney J, Roxe D, Siddiqui F. On-site screening for urinary Hg concentrations and correlation with glomerular and renal tubular function. J Public Health Dent 1991;51(1):12–7. 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1991.tb02169.x. 2027097.ArticlePubMed
  • 7. World Health Organization. Methylmercury. Environmental health criteria 101. 1990, Geneva: International Programme on Chemical Safety.
  • 8. Lindstedt G, Gottberg I, Holmgren B, Jonsson T, Karlsson G. Individual mercury exposure of chloralkali workers and its relation to blood and urinary mercury levels. Scand J Work Environ Health 1979;5(1):59–69. 10.5271/sjweh.2665. 441710.ArticlePubMed
  • 9. Cherian MG, Hursh JB, Clarkson TW, Allen J. Radioactive mercury distribution in biological fluids and excretion in human subjects after inhalation of mercury vapor. Arch Environ Health 1978;33(3):109–14. 10.1080/00039896.1978.10667318. 686833.ArticlePubMed
  • 10. Klaassen CD. Casarett & Daull’s toxicology the basic science of poisons. 2007, New York: McGrowHill.
  • 11. Goldman LR, Shannon MW. Technical report: mercury in the environment: implications for pediatricians. Pediatrics 2001;108(1):197–205. 10.1542/peds.108.1.197. 11433078.ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 12. Nielsen JB, Andersen O. Methyl mercuric chloride toxicokinetics in mice. II: Sexual differences in whole-body retention and deposition in blood, hair, skin, muscles and fat. Pharmacol Toxicol 1991;68(3):208–11. 10.1111/j.1600-0773.1991.tb01224.x. 2057452.ArticlePubMed
  • 13. Nielsen JB, Andersen HR, Andersen O, Starklint H. Mercuric chloride-induced kidney damage in mice: time course and effect of dose. J Toxicol Environ Health 1991;34(4):469–83. 10.1080/15287399109531583. 1960762.ArticlePubMed
  • 14. Clarkson TW, Small H, Norseth T. Excretion and absorption of methyl mercury after polythiol resin treatment. Arch Environ Health 1973;26(4):173–6. 10.1080/00039896.1973.10666251. 4689793.PubMed
  • 15. Amin-Zaki L, Elhassani S, Majeed MA, Clarkson TW, Doherty RA, Greenwood MR, et al. Perinatal methylmercury poisoning in Iraq. Am J Dis Child 1976;130(10):1070–6. 973609.ArticlePubMed
  • 16. Haxton J, Lindsay DG, Hislop JS, Salmon L, Dixon EJ, Evans WH, et al. Duplicate diet study on fishing communities in the United Kingdom: mercury exposure in a “critical group”. Environ Res 1979;18(2):351–68. 10.1016/0013-9351(79)90112-9. 510256.ArticlePubMed
  • 17. Kershaw TG, Clarkson TW, Dhahir PH. The relationship between blood levels and dose of methylmercury in man. Arch Environ Health 1980;35(1):28–36. 10.1080/00039896.1980.10667458. 7189107.ArticlePubMed
  • 18. Phelps RW, Clarkson TW, Kershaw TG, Wheatley B. Interrelationships of blood and hair mercury concentrations in a North American population exposed to methylmercury. Arch Environ Health 1980;35(3):161–8. 10.1080/00039896.1980.10667486. 7189997.ArticlePubMed
  • 19. Sherlock JC, Lindsay DG, Hislop JE, Evans WH, Collier TR. Duplication diet study on mercury intake by fish consumers in the United Kingdom. Arch Environ Health 1982;37(5):271–8. 10.1080/00039896.1982.10667578. 7138076.ArticlePubMed
  • 20. Skerfving S. Methylmercury exposure, mercury levels in blood and hair, and health status in Swedes consuming contaminated fish. Toxicology 1974;2(1):3–23. 10.1016/0300-483X(74)90038-9. 4856767.ArticlePubMed
  • 21. Soria ML, Sanz P, Martinez D, Lopez-Artiguez M, Garrido R, Grilo A, et al. Total mercury and methylmercury in hair, maternal and umbilical blood, and placenta from women in the Seville area. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 1992;48(4):494–501. 10.1007/BF00199063. 1504492.ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 22.
  • 23. World Health Organization. Environmental health criteria 1: mercury. 1976, Geneva: WHO; 94–131.
  • 24. Kim GY, Seo JW, Kim BG, Kim YM, Kim RB, Kim JM, et al. Correlation between hair mercury concentration blood total mercury in several area residents. J Environ Health Sci 2013;39(2):117–29.
  • 25. Alhibshi EA. Subclinical neurotoxicity of mercury: a behavioural, molecular mechanisms and therapeutic perspective. Res J Pharmaceut Biol Chem Sci 2012;3:34–42.
  • 26. Nuttall KL. Interpreting mercury in blood and urine of individual patients. Ann Clin Lab Sci 2004;34(3):235–50. 15487698.PubMed
  • 27. Verschoor MA, Herber RF, Zielhuis RL. Urinary mercury levels and early changes in kidney function in dentists and dental assistants. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1988;16(3):148–52. 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1988.tb00563.x. 3132345.ArticlePubMed
  • 28. Vroom FQ, Greer M. Mercury vapour intoxication. Brain 1972;95(2):305–18. 10.1093/brain/95.2.305. 4144038.ArticlePubMed
  • 29. Cardenas A, Roels H, Bernard AM, Barbon R, Buchet JP, Lauwerys RR, et al. Markers of early renal changes induced by industrial pollutants. I. Application to workers exposed to mercury vapour. Br J Ind Med 1993;50(1):17–27. 8431387.ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 30. Korea Ministry of Employment and Labor. Exposure standards of chemical and physical factors. 2013, Seoul: Korea Ministry of Employment and Labor.
  • 31. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Third national report on human exposure to environmental chemicals. 2005, Atlanta: CDC.
  • 32. US Environmental Pretection Agency (EPA). In: System IRI, editor. Lead and compounds (inorganic) [CASRN 7439-92-1]. 2004, Washington (DC): EPA.
  • 33. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Mercury, elemental and inorganic: BEI. 2001, 7. Cincinnati: ACGIH.
  • 34. Brodkin E, Copes R, Mattman A, Kennedy J, Kling R, Yassi A. Lead and mercury exposures: interpretation and action. Can Med Assoc J 2007;176(1):59–63. 10.1503/cmaj.060790. 17200393.ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 35. National Poisons Information Service and Association of Clinical Biochemists. Laboratory analyses for poisoned patients: joint position paper. Ann Clin Biochem 2002;39(4):328–39. 10.1258/000456302760042083. 12117436.ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 36. Bernhoft RA. Mercury toxicity and treatment: a review of the literature. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:10. 10.1155/2012/460508.ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 37. Meyer-Baron M, Schaeper M, Seeber A. A meta-analysis for neurobehavioural results due to occupational mercury exposure. Arch Toxicol 2002;76(3):127–36. 10.1007/s00204-002-0327-9. 11967617.ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 38. Lucchini R, Cortesi I, Facco P, Benedetti L, Camerino D, Carta P, et al. Neurotoxic effect of exposure to low doses of mercury. Med Lav 2002;93(3):202–14. 12197270.PubMed
  • 39. Kazantzis G. Mercury exposure and early effects: an overview. Med Lav 2002;93(3):139–47. 12197264.PubMed
  • 40. Kazantzis G. In: Nordberg GF, editor. Diagnosis and treatment of metal poisoning general aspects. The toxicology of metals. 2007, 3. New York: Elsevier; 313–4.Article
  • 41. Clifton JC 2nd. Mercury exposure and public health. Pediatr Clin North Am 2007;54(2):237–69. 10.1016/j.pcl.2007.02.005. 17448359.ArticlePubMed
  • 42. Mohammad-Khah A, Ansari R. Activated charcoal; preparation, characterization and applications: a review article. Int J Chem Tech Res 2009;1:2745–88.
  • 43. Ballatori N, Lieberman MW, Wang W. N-acetylcysteine as an antidote in methylmercury poisoning. Environ Health Perspect 1998;106(5):267–71. 10.1289/ehp.98106267. 9520359.ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 44. Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T. Clinical toxicology. 2001, Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company.
  • 45. Sears ME. Chelation: harnessing and enhancing heavy metal detoxification--a review. ScientificWorldJournal 2013;2013:219840. 10.1155/2013/219840. 23690738.ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 46. Wilson GS. The hazards of immunization. 1967, New York: The Athlone Press.
  • 47. Flora SJ, Pachauri V. Chelation in metal intoxication. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2010;7(7):2745–88. 10.3390/ijerph7072745. 20717537.ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 48. Russi G, Marson P. Urgent plasma exchange: how, where and when. Blood Transfus 2011;9(4):356–61. 21839014.PubMedPMC
  • 49. Nenov VD, Marinov P, Sabeva J, Nenov DS. Current applications of plasmapheresis in clinical toxicology. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2003;18(Suppl 5):v56–8. 10.1093/ndt/gfg1049. 12817073.ArticlePubMed

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

    Citations

    Citations to this article as recorded by  
    • Ameliorative impacts of sinapic acid against mercuric chloride-induced renal toxicity: role of antioxidants and inflammatory cytokines
      Arshad Mehmood, Mohamed Mohamed Soliman, Daklallah A Almalki, Khalid S Alotaibi, Gehan Basiony Ahmed Youssef, Saed Althobaiti
      Toxicology Research.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Health and environmental risk assessment of mercury in outdoor and indoor dust in artisanal and small-scale gold mining area in Amansie-west district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
      Patrick Adu Poku, Sylvester Addai-Arhin, Collins Nimako, Syafran Arrazy, Tia Agustiani, Huiho Jeong, Tetsuro Agusa, Yasuhiro Ishibashi, Jun Kobayashi
      Environmental Geochemistry and Health.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Ion-Selective Electrodes in the Food Industry: Development Trends in the Potentiometric Determination of Ionic Pollutants
      Antonio Ruiz-Gonzalez
      Electrochem.2024; 5(2): 178.     CrossRef
    • Anthropogenic short-lived halogens increase human exposure to mercury contamination due to enhanced mercury oxidation over continents
      Xiao Fu, Xianyi Sun, Oleg Travnikov, Qinyi Li, Chuang Qin, Carlos A. Cuevas, Rafael P. Fernandez, Anoop S. Mahajan, Shuxiao Wang, Tao Wang, Alfonso Saiz-Lopez
      Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Toxicological and bioremediation profiling of nonessential heavy metals (mercury, chromium, cadmium, aluminium) and their impact on human health: A review
      Harsh Sable, Vandana Singh, Vaishali Kumar, Arpita Roy, Soumya Pandit, Kirtanjot Kaur, Sarvesh Rustagi, Sumira Malik
      Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique.2024; 36(3): 205.     CrossRef
    • Mercury risk assessment scenarios: exposure from fish dietary behaviors of Katingan River Basin community
      Fika R. Mufakhir, Gunawan P. Yoga, Taryono Darusman, Dwi P. Lestari, Desra Arriyadi, Rosetyati R. Utami, Slamet Sumardi, Widi Astuti, Hendra Prasetia
      International Journal of Environmental Health Research.2024; 34(9): 3317.     CrossRef
    • Review and assessment of mercury contamination and risk in sediment and food chain near a chlor-alkali plant
      Sedigheh Mohamadi, Mohsen Saeedi
      Emerging Contaminants.2024; 10(4): 100384.     CrossRef
    • Maternal exposure to bisphenols, phthalates, perfluoroalkyl acids, and trace elements and their associations with gestational diabetes mellitus in the APrON cohort
      Munawar Hussain Soomro, Gillian England-Mason, Anthony J.F. Reardon, Jiaying Liu, Amy M. MacDonald, David W. Kinniburgh, Jonathan W. Martin, Deborah Dewey
      Reproductive Toxicology.2024; 127: 108612.     CrossRef
    • Baseline characteristics including blood and urine metal levels in the Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy 2 (TACT2)
      Ana Navas-Acien, Regina M. Santella, Bonnie R. Joubert, Zhen Huang, Yuliya Lokhnygina, Francisco Ujueta, Irina Gurvich, Nancy J. LoIacono, Filippo Ravalli, Cynthia D. Ward, Jeffery M. Jarrett, Alfonsina De Leon Salazar, Robin Boineau, Teresa L.Z. Jones, D
      American Heart Journal.2024; 273: 72.     CrossRef
    • Seasonal and age-dependent differences in mercury concentrations in Apodemus sp. in the north-western region of Slovakia
      Lenka Zábojníková
      Environmental Science and Pollution Research.2024; 31(7): 10521.     CrossRef
    • Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Glomerular Disease: A Contemporary Case Series
      Prem Kumar Devaraju, Jayalakshmi Seshadri, Chelvamalai Muthukumaran Balasubramanian, Anila Abraham Kurien, Guhan Senthilkumaran, Vaishanavi Devi Rajarathinam, Vijayakumar Stanlybai Jibia, Vinoj Murugesan, Tanuj Moses Lamech, Dineshkumar Thanigachalam, Sak
      Kidney Medicine.2024; 6(6): 100827.     CrossRef
    • Surgical Management of Iatrogenic Mercury Poisoning From Subcutaneous Injection Into the Arm
      Evan C. Bowen, Katherine C. Benedict, John M. Sullivan, Katherine E. Baker, Morgan E. Schock, Marc E. Walker
      Annals of Plastic Surgery.2024; 93(2): 205.     CrossRef
    • Acute onset parkinsonism after consumption of traditional Chinese medicine: A cause for vigilance
      Ko-Ying Kuo, Ying-Sheng Li, Poyin Huang
      Heliyon.2024; 10(11): e31628.     CrossRef
    • Should ebselen be considered for the treatment of mercury intoxication? A minireview
      Nilda V. Barbosa, Michael Aschner, Alexey A. Tinkov, Marcelo Farina, João Batista Teixeira da Rocha
      Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods.2024; 34(1): 1.     CrossRef
    • Public health assessment of Kenyan ASGM communities using multi-element biomonitoring, dietary and environmental evaluation
      Maureene Auma Ondayo, Michael J. Watts, Olivier S. Humphrey, Odipo Osano
      Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.2024; 277: 116323.     CrossRef
    • MEASUREMENT OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS, PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS, AND TOXIC METALS IN THE BLOOD OF HUMBOLDT PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS HUMBOLDTI) AT PUNTA SAN JUAN, PERU USING DRIED BLOOD SPOTS
      Michael J. Adkesson, Alan Shlosberg, Andreas F. Lehner, Wilson K. Rumbeiha, Susana Cárdenas-Alayza, Marco Cardeña-Mormontoy, Kurunthachalam Kannan
      Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Exposure to heavy metals and neurocognitive function in adults: a systematic review
      Raed H. Althomali, Manal A. Abbood, Ebraheem Abdu Musad Saleh, Laylo Djuraeva, Barno Sayfutdinovna Abdullaeva, Ruqayah Taher Habash, Muataz S. Alhassan, Ahmed Hussien Radie Alawady, Ali Hashiem Alsaalamy, Moslem Lari Najafi
      Environmental Sciences Europe.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • A photoluminescent and electrochemiluminescent probe based on an iridium(iii) complex with a boronic acid-functionalised ancillary ligand for the selective detection of mercury(ii) ions
      Kyoung-Rok Kim, Jinrok Oh, Jong-In Hong
      The Analyst.2023; 148(22): 5619.     CrossRef
    • Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) on the available evidence in relation to the potential obesogenic activity of certain chemical compounds that may be present in foods
      Ana María Rivas Velasco, Irene Bretón Lesmes, Araceli Díaz Perales, Ángel Gil Izquierdo, María José González Muñoz, Victoria Moreno Arribas, María del Puy Portillo Baquedano, Silvia Pichardo Sánchez
      Food Risk Assess Europe.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Colorimetric detection of mercury (Hg2+) using UV–vis spectroscopy and digital image analysis based on gold nanoparticles functionalized with bromelain enzyme
      Nurul Azreen Suhaidi, Mohd Izuan Effendi Halmi, Asraf Alif Rashidi, Mohd Firdaus Mohd Anuar, Khairil Mahmud, Norzila Kusnin, Siti Salwa Abd Gani, Mohd Yunus Abd Shukor
      3 Biotech.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • The switchable fluorescent detection of mercury, copper, and iodine in real water samples using bola-amphiphilic-tetraphenylethene
      Sinan Bayindir, Abdullah Saleh Hussein, Ferruh Lafzi, Mahmut Toprak
      Journal of Molecular Liquids.2023; 382: 121939.     CrossRef
    • Human biomonitoring of environmental contaminants in Gulf Countries – current status and future directions
      Raghad Khaled, Shahd Elabed, Asmaa Masarani, Anfal Almulla, Shamsa Almheiri, Rinsha Koniyath, Lucy Semerjian, Khaled Abass
      Environmental Research.2023; 236: 116650.     CrossRef
    • Antioxidant Supplementation Alleviates Mercury-Induced Cytotoxicity and Restores the Implantation-Related Functions of Primary Human Endometrial Cells
      Andrea Palomar, Alicia Quiñonero, Yassmin Medina-Laver, Roberto Gonzalez-Martin, Silvia Pérez-Debén, Pilar Alama, Francisco Domínguez
      International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2023; 24(10): 8799.     CrossRef
    • Hg Content in EU and Non-EU Processed Meat and Fish Foods
      Vincenzo Nava, Giuseppa Di Bella, Francesco Fazio, Angela Giorgia Potortì, Vincenzo Lo Turco, Patrizia Licata
      Applied Sciences.2023; 13(2): 793.     CrossRef
    • Gingerol extract-stabilized silver nanoparticles and their applications: colorimetric and machine learning-based sensing of Hg(ii) and antibacterial properties
      Kittiya Plaeyao, Ratchaneekorn Kampangta, Yuparat Korkokklang, Chanon Talodthaisong, Apichart Saenchoopa, Saengrawee Thammawithan, Krailikhit Latpala, Rina Patramanon, Navaphun Kayunkid, Sirinan Kulchat
      RSC Advances.2023; 13(29): 19789.     CrossRef
    • A method for reliable quantification of mercury in occupational and environmental medical urine samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
      Martin Winter, Frederik Lessmann, Volker Harth
      Analytical Methods.2023; 15(16): 2030.     CrossRef
    • A brief study on the role of cerium oxide nanoparticles in growth and alleviation of mercury-induced stress in Vigna radiata and soil bacteria Bacillus coagulans
      Sampurna Mukherjee, Suresh Babu Krishnamoorthy, Rengaraj Subrayan, Arunava Goswami, Sutanuka Mitra
      Environmental Science and Pollution Research.2023; 30(29): 73952.     CrossRef
    • Assessing the Correlation between Blood Trace Element Concentrations, Picky Eating Habits, and Intelligence Quotient in School-Aged Children
      Abdullah A. Saati, Heba M. Adly
      Children.2023; 10(7): 1249.     CrossRef
    • Blood and Urinary Metal Levels among Exclusive Marijuana Users in NHANES (2005–2018)
      Katlyn E. McGraw, Anne E. Nigra, Joshua Klett, Marisa Sobel, Elizabeth C. Oelsner, Ana Navas-Acien, Xin Hu, Tiffany R. Sanchez
      Environmental Health Perspectives.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Genome-Wide Association Study of Blood Mercury in European Pregnant Women and Children
      Kyle Dack, Mariona Bustamante, Caroline M. Taylor, Sabrina Llop, Manuel Lozano, Paul Yousefi, Regina Gražulevičienė, Kristine Bjerve Gutzkow, Anne Lise Brantsæter, Dan Mason, Georgia Escaramís, Sarah J. Lewis
      Genes.2023; 14(12): 2123.     CrossRef
    • Acute Mercury Poisoning in Young Children: When to Treat?
      Sudha Chandelia, Viresh Vohra, Shankar Prasad, Mithlesh Kumar Tiwari, Karthi Nallasamy, Suresh Kumar Angurana
      Indian Journal of Pediatrics.2023; 90(6): 629.     CrossRef
    • Electrochemical separation and purification of no-carrier-added 177Lu for radiopharmaceutical preparation: Translation from bench to bed
      Sourav Patra, Rubel Chakravarty, Khajan Singh, K.V. Vimalnath, Sudipta Chakraborty
      Chemical Engineering Journal Advances.2023; 14: 100444.     CrossRef
    • Suicidal intoxication with mercury chloride
      Sławomir Majdanik, Barbara Potocka-Banaś, Sebastian Glowinski, Sylwester Luzny
      Forensic Toxicology.2023; 41(2): 304.     CrossRef
    • Biomonitoring of firefighting forces: a review on biomarkers of exposure to health-relevant pollutants released from fires
      Bela Barros, Marta Oliveira, Simone Morais
      Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B.2023; 26(3): 127.     CrossRef
    • Barbituric acid appended fluorescent sensor for the detection of Cu2+/Hg2+ ions along with real-life utility in recognition of malathionin food samples and fingerprint imaging
      Gitanjali Jindal, Navneet Kaur
      Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry.2023; 434: 114238.     CrossRef
    • A methionine biomolecule-modified chromenylium-cyanine fluorescent probe for the analysis of Hg2+ in the environment and living cells
      Yusuf Alcay, Emre Ozdemir, Mustafa Semih Yildirim, Utku Ertugral, Ozgur Yavuz, Hulya Aribuga, Yilmaz Ozkilic, Nurcan Şenyurt Tuzun, Ayse Buse Ozdabak Sert, Fatma Nese Kok, Ismail Yilmaz
      Talanta.2023; 259: 124471.     CrossRef
    • Associations between exposure to cadmium, lead, mercury and mixtures and women’s infertility and long-term amenorrhea
      Maria McClam, Jihong Liu, Yihan Fan, Tingjie Zhan, Qiang Zhang, Dwayne E. Porter, Geoffrey I. Scott, Shuo Xiao
      Archives of Public Health.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Spots in Dermatology
      Swathy Prasannan, AS Savitha, TS Nagesh
      Clinical Dermatology Review.2022; 6(1): 59.     CrossRef
    • Domestic water and accumulating mercury toxicity in the kidney
      Raafat Abdeldayem
      Applied Water Science.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Effects of Low-Level Organic Mercury Exposure on Oxidative Stress Profile
      Radu Ciprian Tincu, Cristian Cobilinschi, Iulia Alexandra Florea, Ana-Maria Cotae, Alexandru Emil Băetu, Sebastian Isac, Raluca Ungureanu, Gabriela Droc, Ioana Marina Grintescu, Liliana Mirea
      Processes.2022; 10(11): 2388.     CrossRef
    • Renaissance mercurial therapy in the mummies of Saint Domenico Maggiore in Naples: a palaeopathological and palaeotoxicological approach
      Antonio Fornaciari, Silvio Chericoni, Fabio Stefanelli, Gino Fornaciari, Valentina Giuffra
      Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • A Systematic Review of Mercury Exposures from Skin-Lightening Products
      Ashley Bastiansz, Jessica Ewald, Verónica Rodríguez Saldaña, Andrea Santa-Rios, Niladri Basu
      Environmental Health Perspectives.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Recurrent Rash in an 11-Year-Old Boy With Pericardial and Pleural Effusions
      Allison M. Weisnicht, Ryan Byrne, Erin B. Henkel, Stephen A. Harding, Stefan P. Kostelyna, Deborah Schady, Jamie Lai, Leigh A. Stubbs
      Pediatrics.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Prenatal Mercury Exposure and Infant Weight Trajectories in a UK Observational Birth Cohort
      Kyle Dack, Robyn E. Wootton, Caroline M. Taylor, Sarah J. Lewis
      Toxics.2022; 11(1): 10.     CrossRef
    • Colorimetric screening of elevated urinary mercury levels by a novel Hg2+-selective probe of resorufin phosphinothioate
      Myung Gil Choi, Byung Hoon Yun, Hyeong Min Kim, Sangdoo Ahn, Suk-Kyu Chang
      RSC Advances.2022; 12(37): 24107.     CrossRef
    • Heavy metal-induced lipogenic gene aberration, lipid dysregulation and obesogenic effect: a review
      Yang Zhou, Frank Peprah Addai, Xinshuang Zhang, Yuelin Liu, Yinfeng Wang, Feng Lin, Alex Tuffour, Jie Gu, Guangxiang Liu, Haifeng Shi
      Environmental Chemistry Letters.2022; 20(3): 1611.     CrossRef
    • Functional consequences of lead and mercury exposomes in the heart
      Gonzalo Ferreira, Axel Santander, Luisina Chavarría, Romina Cardozo, Florencia Savio, Luis Sobrevia, Garth L. Nicolson
      Molecular Aspects of Medicine.2022; 87: 101048.     CrossRef
    • Sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for Hg(II) in aqueous solution using 4’-dimethylaminochalcone
      Marco Mellado, Nicole Roldán, Rodrigo Miranda, Luis F. Aguilar, Manuel A. Bravo, Waldo Quiroz
      Journal of Fluorescence.2022; 32(4): 1449.     CrossRef
    • Beyond efficiency fever: Preventing lead leakage for perovskite solar cells
      Pengfei Wu, Shirong Wang, Xianggao Li, Fei Zhang
      Matter.2022; 5(4): 1137.     CrossRef
    • A Reversible Optical Sensor Film for Mercury Ions Discrimination Based on Isoxazolidine Derivative and Exhibiting pH Sensing
      Reham Ali, Siwar Ghannay, Sabri Messaoudi, Fahad M. Alminderej, Kaïss Aouadi, Sayed M. Saleh
      Biosensors.2022; 12(11): 1028.     CrossRef
    • Mercury pollution in Peru: geographic distribution, health hazards, and sustainable removal technologies
      Fernando G. Torres, Gabriel E. De-la-Torre
      Environmental Science and Pollution Research.2022; 29(36): 54045.     CrossRef
    • Occupational exposure to mercury from cinnabar enriched sand in workers of Grado Beach, Gulf of Trieste (North-eastern Italy, upper Adriatic Sea)
      Luca Cegolon, Giuseppe Mastrangelo, Stefano Covelli, Elisa Petranich, Elena Pavoni, Francesca Larese Filon
      Marine Pollution Bulletin.2022; 184: 114057.     CrossRef
    • Mercury and Movement Disorders: The Toxic Legacy Continues
      Jacky Ganguly, Dinkar Kulshreshtha, Mandar Jog
      Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques.2022; 49(4): 493.     CrossRef
    • SNS donors as mimic to enzymes, chemosensors, and imaging agents
      Poonam Kaswan, Preeti Oswal, Arun Kumar, Chandra Mohan Srivastava, Dipti Vaya, Varun Rawat, Kamal Nayan Sharma, Gyandshwar Kumar Rao
      Inorganic Chemistry Communications.2022; 136: 109140.     CrossRef
    • Aptasensors for full body health checkup
      Tanu Bhardwaj, Tarun Kumar Sharma
      Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X.2022; 11: 100199.     CrossRef
    • Concentration of mercury in human hair and associated factors in residents of the Gulf of Trieste (North-Eastern Italy)
      Luca Cegolon, Elisa Petranich, Elena Pavoni, Federico Floreani, Nicolò Barago, Elisa Papassissa, Francesca Larese Filon, Stefano Covelli
      Environmental Science and Pollution Research.2022; 30(8): 21425.     CrossRef
    • Ziziphus spina-christi Leaf Extract Mitigates Mercuric Chloride-induced Cortical Damage in Rats
      Rafa S. Almeer, Saad Alkahtani, Saud Alarifi, Ahmed E. Abdel Moneim, Saba Abdi, Gadah Albasher
      Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening.2021; 25(1): 103.     CrossRef
    • Maternal Urinary Metal and Metalloid Concentrations in Association with Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
      Pahriya Ashrap, Deborah J. Watkins, Ginger L. Milne, Kelly K. Ferguson, Rita Loch-Caruso, Jennifer Fernandez, Zaira Rosario, Carmen M. Vélez-Vega, Akram Alshawabkeh, José F. Cordero, John D. Meeker
      Antioxidants.2021; 10(1): 114.     CrossRef
    • Changes in the renal function after acute mercuric chloride exposure in the rat are associated with renal vascular endothelial dysfunction and proximal tubule NHE3 inhibition
      João Vitor dos Anjos Vieira, Vinicius Bermond Marques, Luiza Valli Vieira, Renato de Oliveira Crajoinas, Maria Heloisa Massola Shimizu, Antonio Carlos Seguro, Maria Tereza Weitzel Dias Carneiro, Adriana Castello Costa Girardi, Dalton Valentim Vassallo, Le
      Toxicology Letters.2021; 341: 23.     CrossRef
    • Children with Amalgam Dental Restorations Have Significantly Elevated Blood and Urine Mercury Levels
      Lei Yin, Simon Lin, Anne O Summers, Van Roper, Matthew J Campen, Xiaozhong Yu
      Toxicological Sciences.2021; 184(1): 104.     CrossRef
    • Speciation analysis of mercury employing volatile species generation: Approaches to reliable determination in blood and hair
      Inga Petry-Podgórska, Věra Schrenková, Michaela Migašová, Tomáš Matoušek, Jan Kratzer
      Microchemical Journal.2021; 170: 106606.     CrossRef
    • Assessment of radioactivity and heavy metals in water sources from Artisanal mining areas of Anka, Northwest Nigeria
      Mbet Amos Akpanowo, Nasiru Adebayo Bello, Ibrahim Umaru, Shekwonyadu Iyakwari, Emmanuel Joshua, Samson Yusuf, Godwin Bassey Ekong
      Scientific African.2021; 12: e00761.     CrossRef
    • Metals and Metal-Nanoparticles in Human Pathologies: From Exposure to Therapy
      Joanna Izabela Lachowicz, Luigi Isaia Lecca, Federico Meloni, Marcello Campagna
      Molecules.2021; 26(21): 6639.     CrossRef
    • Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles Fe3O4@SiO2@PTA (PTA = (2-pyrimidylthio)acetic acid) for efficient removal of mercury from water
      Gaurav Vyas, Shreya Bhatt, Parimal Paul
      Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects.2021; 611: 125861.     CrossRef
    • Identification of metal binding motifs in protein frameworks to develop novel remediation strategies for Hg2+ and Cr(VI)
      J. Sreeshma, C. Sudandiradoss
      BioMetals.2021; 34(3): 621.     CrossRef
    • Comparison of Ultrastructural Features Between Patients with Mercury-associated Membranous Nephropathy and Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy
      Ai-bo Qin, Zi-shan Lin, Su-xia Wang, Hui Wang, Zhao Cui, Fu-de Zhou, Ming-hui Zhao
      The American Journal of the Medical Sciences.2021; 361(3): 327.     CrossRef
    • Recent Advances on the Development of Chemosensors for the Detection of Mercury Toxicity: A Review
      Shiva Prasad Kollur, Chandan Shivamallu, Shashanka K. Prasad, Ravindra Veerapur, Sharanagouda S. Patil, Charley A. Cull, Johann F. Coetzee, Raghavendra G. Amachawadi
      Separations.2021; 8(10): 192.     CrossRef
    • Heavy Metals in Indian Traditional Systems of Medicine: A Systematic Scoping Review and Recommendations for Integrative Medicine Practice
      Sanchari Mukhopadhyay, Shalu Elizabeth Abraham, Bharath Holla, Kishore Kr Ramakrishna, Kamala Lakshmi Gopalakrishna, Akhila Soman, Umesh C. Chikkanna, Muchukunte Mukunda Srinivas Bharath, Hemant Bhargav, Shivarama Varambally, Bangalore Nanjundaiah Gangadh
      The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.2021; 27(11): 915.     CrossRef
    • Characteristics and treatment of elemental mercury intoxication: A case series
      Kelly Johnson‐Arbor, Eshetu Tefera, John Farrell
      Health Science Reports.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Imaging Microstructural Damage and Alveolar Bone Loss in Rats Systemically Exposed to Methylmercury: First Experimental Evidence
      Géssica de Oliveira Lopes, Walessa Alana Bragança Aragão, Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt, Bruna Puty, Armando Pereira Lopes, Sávio Monteiro dos Santos, Marta Chagas Monteiro, Edivaldo Herculano Corrêa de Oliveira, Márcia Cristina Freitas da Silva, Rafael R
      Biological Trace Element Research.2021; 199(10): 3707.     CrossRef
    • Analysis of Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead Concentrations in Erythrocytes of Renal Transplant Recipients from Northwestern Poland
      Aleksandra Wilk, Maciej Romanowski, Barbara Wiszniewska
      Biology.2021; 10(1): 62.     CrossRef
    • The Aging Kidney—As Influenced by Heavy Metal Exposure and Selenium Supplementation
      Jan Aaseth, Jan Alexander, Urban Alehagen, Alexey Tinkov, Anatoly Skalny, Anders Larsson, Guido Crisponi, Valeria Marina Nurchi
      Biomolecules.2021; 11(8): 1078.     CrossRef
    • Adsorption and Removal of Hazardous Metallic Elements Hg 0, Ni 0 and Pb 0: A DFT Study on g-C 3N 4 Monolayer Modified with Pt n (n=1 - 7) Clusters
      Siying Zhong, Shao-Yi Wu, Gao-Jun Zhang, Jia-Xing Guo, Li Yan
      SSRN Electronic Journal .2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Methylmercury Neurotoxicity and Neuroinflammation
      João P. Novo, Beatriz Martins, Ramon S. Raposo, Frederico C. Pereira, Reinaldo B. Oriá, João O. Malva, Carlos Fontes-Ribeiro
      International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2021; 22(6): 3101.     CrossRef
    • Methylmercury plus Ethanol Exposure: How Much Does This Combination Affect Emotionality?
      Diandra Araújo Luz, Sabrina de Carvalho Cartágenes, Cinthia Cristina Sousa de Menezes da Silveira, Bruno Gonçalves Pinheiro, Kissila Márvia Matias Machado Ferraro, Luanna de Melo Pereira Fernandes, Enéas Andrade Fontes-Júnior, Cristiane do Socorro Ferraz
      International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2021; 22(23): 13131.     CrossRef
    • Unveiling the Features of Mercury-Associated Minimal Change Disease: Comparison with Primary Minimal Change Disease
      Ai-bo Qin, Xiao-juan Yu, Su-xia Wang, Fu-de Zhou, Ming-hui Zhao
      Kidney Diseases.2021; 7(2): 156.     CrossRef
    • Mercury and Prenatal Growth: A Systematic Review
      Kyle Dack, Matthew Fell, Caroline M. Taylor, Alexandra Havdahl, Sarah J. Lewis
      International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(13): 7140.     CrossRef
    • The “wing-heeled” traveler
      Taylor Kain, Jordan Weinstein, Aaron Thompson, Andrea K. Boggild
      Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines.2020;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Mercury exposure and nonmelanoma skin cancer: what're the odds?
      N. Taylor
      British Journal of Dermatology.2020; 183(3): 413.     CrossRef
    • Mercury intoxication resembling pediatric rheumatic diseases: case series and literature review
      Mehmet Yildiz, Amra Adrovic, Aybuke Gurup, Esra Karabag Yilmaz, Yavuz Ozer, Oya Koker, Sezgin Sahin, Ertugrul Kiykim, Nur Canpolat, Kenan Barut, Ozgur Kasapcopur
      Rheumatology International.2020; 40(8): 1333.     CrossRef
    • Comparing the Neuroprotective Effects of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Vernonia Amygdalina on the Cerebellum of Adult Male Wistar Rats
      Ugochukwu Samuel Aguwa, Somadina M Okeke, Chijioke M Okeke, Chinyere E Eze, Benedict Nzube Obinwa, Morris Izuogu, Felix Ogbo Ovie, Darlington Nnamdi Onyejike, Doris Kasarachi Ogbuokiri, Damian N Ezejindu
      International Annals of Science.2020; 9(1): 145.     CrossRef
    • Broken thermometer in foot: a source of mercury poisoning
      Peyman Erfantalab, Nasim Zamani, Hossein Hassanian-Moghaddam
      Tropical Doctor.2020; 50(1): 83.     CrossRef
    • Status of mercury accumulation in agricultural soils across China (1976–2016)
      Xingyuan Li, Jingru Zhang, Yiwei Gong, Shuhui Yang, Mai Ye, Xuan Yu, Jin Ma
      Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.2020; 197: 110564.     CrossRef
    • In Situ Doping-Enabled Metal and Nonmetal Codoping in Graphene Quantum Dots: Synthesis and Application for Contaminant Sensing
      Aruna N. Nair, Venkata S.N. Chava, Saptasree Bose, Ting Zheng, Srikanth Pilla, Sreeprasad T. Sreenivasan
      ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.2020; 8(44): 16565.     CrossRef
    • A review on nanostructure-based mercury (II) detection and monitoring focusing on aptamer and oligonucleotide biosensors
      Samet Şahin, Mustafa Oguzhan Caglayan, Zafer Üstündağ
      Talanta.2020; 220: 121437.     CrossRef
    • Blood Mercury Levels in Children with Kawasaki Disease and Disease Outcome
      Ling-Sai Chang, Jia-Huei Yan, Jin-Yu Li, Deniz Des Yeter, Ying-Hsien Huang, Mindy Ming-Huey Guo, Mao-Hung Lo, Ho-Chang Kuo
      International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(10): 3726.     CrossRef
    • Elevated Hair Mercury Levels Are Associated With Neurodevelopmental Deficits in Children Living Near Artisanal and Small‐Scale Gold Mining in Peru
      Aaron Reuben, Helena Frischtak, Axel Berky, Ernesto J. Ortiz, Ana Maria Morales, Heileen Hsu‐Kim, Laura L. Pendergast, William K. Pan
      GeoHealth.2020;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Current issues of environmental mercury pollution (review)
      V. N. Rakitskii, T. A. Synitskaya, Sergeii V. Skupnevskii
      Hygiene and sanitation.2020; 99(5): 460.     CrossRef
    • Evaluation of kidney function and oxidative stress biomarkers in prolonged occupational exposure with mercury in dentists
      Mohsen Yazdanian, Ghader Ghanizadeh, Shirin Rastgoo, Sayyed Morteza Hosseini Shokouh
      Gene Reports.2020; 19: 100627.     CrossRef
    • Is there evidence of weathering among women seeking fertility treatments?: Evidence and insights
      Katherine Tierney
      Social Science & Medicine.2020; 247: 112816.     CrossRef
    • An unusual cause of nephrotic syndrome in a 10-year-old girl: Answers
      Yu Bao, Huijun Shen
      Pediatric Nephrology.2020; 35(7): 1219.     CrossRef
    • Mercury Exposure Among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Four Regions in Uganda
      Mercy Wendy Wanyana, Friday E. Agaba, Deogratias K. Sekimpi, Victoria N. Mukasa, Geoffrey N. Kamese, Nkonge Douglas, John C. Ssempebwa
      Journal of Health and Pollution.2020;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Blood Response to Mercury Exposure in Athletic Horse From Messina, Italy
      Francesco Fazio, Nicola Cicero, Giuseppe Piccione, Claudia Giannetto, Patrizia Licata
      Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.2020; 84: 102837.     CrossRef
    • Current issues of environmental mercury pollution (review)
      V. N. Rakitskii, T. A. Synitskaya, Sergeii V. Skupnevskii
      Hygiene and sanitation.2020; 99(5): 460.     CrossRef
    • Regulation of Single-Channel Conductance of Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel by Mercuric Chloride in a Planar Lipid Bilayer
      Chetan Malik, Subhendu Ghosh
      The Journal of Membrane Biology.2020; 253(4): 357.     CrossRef
    • Lead and Mercury Exposure and Related Health Problems in Metal Artisan Workplaces and High-Risk Household Contacts in Thimphu, Bhutan
      Adeep Monger, Karma Wangdi
      The Scientific World Journal.2020; 2020: 1.     CrossRef
    • The interrelation of neurophysiological, psychological, and biochemical indicators in patients with occupational chronic mercury intoxication suffering from insomnia
      Elena V. Katamanova, Elena N. Korchuganova, Natalia V. Slivnitsyna, Irina V. Kudaeva, Oleg L. Lakhman
      Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology.2020; 60(12): 904.     CrossRef
    • Toxic Metals Depuration Profiles from a Population Adjacent to a Military Target Range (Vieques) and Main Island Puerto Rico
      Héctor Jirau-Colón, Ashley Cosme, Víctor Marcial-Vega, Braulio Jiménez-Vélez
      International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 17(1): 264.     CrossRef
    • A Case of Accidental Mercury Intoxication
      Olivia L. Kamensky, Destiny Horton, Donald P. Kingsley, Christy C. Bridges
      The Journal of Emergency Medicine.2019; 56(3): 275.     CrossRef
    • Endoplasmic reticulum stress participates in the pathophysiology of mercury-caused acute kidney injury
      Plácido Rojas-Franco, Margarita Franco-Colín, Alejandra Paola Torres-Manzo, Vanessa Blas-Valdivia, María del Rocio Thompson-Bonilla, Sinan Kandir, Edgar Cano-Europa
      Renal Failure.2019; 41(1): 1001.     CrossRef
    • Lethal concentrations of mercury or lead do not affect coagulation kinetics in human plasma
      Vance G. Nielsen
      Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis.2019; 48(4): 697.     CrossRef
    • The Clinical Importance of the Mercury Problem in Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining
      Justice Afrifa, Yeboah Kwaku Opoku, Eric Ofori Gyamerah, George Ashiagbor, Rosemary Doe Sorkpor
      Frontiers in Public Health.2019;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Ziziphus spina-christi Leaf Extract Suppressed Mercury Chloride-Induced Nephrotoxicity via Nrf2-Antioxidant Pathway Activation and Inhibition of Inflammatory and Apoptotic Signaling
      Rafa S. Almeer, Gadah Albasher, Fatimah Alotibi, Saud Alarifi, Daoud Ali, Saad Alkahtani
      Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.2019; 2019: 1.     CrossRef
    • Genetically encoded FRET-based optical sensor for Hg2+ detection and intracellular imaging in living cells
      Neha Soleja, Mohamad Aman Jairajpuri, Aarfa Queen, Mohd Mohsin
      Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology.2019; 46(12): 1669.     CrossRef
    • Impaired participation of potassium channels and Na+/K+‐ATPase in vasodilatation due to reduced nitric oxide bioavailability in rats exposed to mercury
      Tatiani Botelho, Vinícius B. Marques, Maylla R. Simões, Patricia R. do Val Lima, Fabiana V. Simões, Dalton V. Vassallo, Leonardo dos Santos
      Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology.2019; 124(2): 190.     CrossRef
    • Mercury-associated glomerulonephritis: a retrospective study of 35 cases in a single Chinese center
      Ai-bo Qin, Tao Su, Su-xia Wang, Fan Zhang, Fu-de Zhou, Ming-hui Zhao
      BMC Nephrology.2019;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • The life-threatening rash of poisoning
      Michael Joseph Lavery, Ronni Wolf
      Clinics in Dermatology.2019; 37(2): 136.     CrossRef
    • Mercury levels in human population from a mining district in Western Colombia
      Harry Gutiérrez-Mosquera, S.B. Sujitha, M.P. Jonathan, S.K. Sarkar, Fairy Medina-Mosquera, Helcias Ayala-Mosquera, Gladis Morales-Mira, Laura Arreola-Mendoza
      Journal of Environmental Sciences.2018; 68: 83.     CrossRef
    • Mercury poisoning in a fisherman working on a pelagic fishing vessel due to excessive tuna consumption
      Ji-Sung Ahn, Kyung Wook Kang, Won-Yang Kang, Hyeong-Min Lim, Seunghyeon Cho, Jai-Dong Moon, Won-Ju Park
      Journal of Occupational Health.2018; 60(1): 89.     CrossRef
    • The Content of Mercury in Herbal Dietary Supplements
      Barbara Brodziak-Dopierała, Agnieszka Fischer, Wioletta Szczelina, Jerzy Stojko
      Biological Trace Element Research.2018; 185(1): 236.     CrossRef
    • The associations between blood mercury levels and shark meat intake among workers in Gyeongsangbuk-do
      Gun Il Park, Young Seok Byun, Man Joong Jeon, Joon Sakong
      Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • A review: Aptamer-based analytical strategies using the nanomaterials for environmental and human monitoring of toxic heavy metals
      Leila Farzin, Mojtaba Shamsipur, Shahab Sheibani
      Talanta.2017; 174: 619.     CrossRef
    • Metal Ion Toxins and Brain Aquaporin-4 Expression: An Overview
      Adriana Ximenes-da-Silva
      Frontiers in Neuroscience.2016;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Regulation of Sirt1/Nrf2/TNF-α signaling pathway by luteolin is critical to attenuate acute mercuric chloride exposure induced hepatotoxicity
      Daqian Yang, Xiao Tan, Zhanjun Lv, Biying Liu, Ruiqi Baiyun, Jingjing Lu, Zhigang Zhang
      Scientific Reports.2016;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Assessment of the Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System in Mercury-Exposed Individuals via Post-Exercise Heart Rate Recovery
      Omer Hinc Yilmaz, Ugur Nadir Karakulak, Engin Tutkun, Ceylan Bal, Meside Gunduzoz, Emine Ercan Onay, Mehmet Ayturk, Mujgan Tek Ozturk, Mehmet Erdem Alaguney
      Medical Principles and Practice.2016; 25(4): 343.     CrossRef

    • PubReader PubReader
    • ePub LinkePub Link
    • Cite
      CITE
      export Copy Download
      Close
      Download Citation
      Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

      Format:
      • RIS — For EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and most other reference management software
      • BibTeX — For JabRef, BibDesk, and other BibTeX-specific software
      Include:
      • Citation for the content below
      Evaluation of mercury exposure level, clinical diagnosis and treatment for mercury intoxication
      Ann Occup Environ Med. 2016;28:5  Published online January 22, 2016
      Close
    • XML DownloadXML Download
    Evaluation of mercury exposure level, clinical diagnosis and treatment for mercury intoxication
    Evaluation of mercury exposure level, clinical diagnosis and treatment for mercury intoxication
    Chemical name (common names, abbreviations)DoseAdverse effectElements chelated
    2,3-bis(sulfanyl)butanedioic acid (Dimercaptosuccinic acid; DMSA; Succimer)10 mg/kg (or 350 mg/m2) q 8 h for 5 days, then 10 mg/kg q 12 h for 14 days (a total of 19 days), P.O.Gastrointestinal disturbances, mild increase in serum transaminaseLead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, silver, tin, copper
    Sodium 2,3-bis(sulfanyl)propane-1-sulfonate (Sodium (Dimercaptopropanesulfonate; DMPS; Dimaval)5 mg/kg q 6–8 h, P.O., I.M.,I.V., SQLow back (kidney) pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, skin rash, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactionsMercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, tin, silver, copper selenium, zinc, magnesium
    Children: 5-day courses of 200 or 400 mg of DMPS per m2 surface area per day
    (2S)-2-amino-3-methyl-3-sulfanylbutanoic acid (3-Sulfanyl-D-valine; Penicillamine; D- Penicillamine)10 mg/kg/d for 7 days with a possibility of a prolonged treatment during 2 to 3 weeks, P.O.Interstitial nephritis, hypersensitivity reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances, leukopenia and thrombocytopeniaCopper, arsenic, zinc, mercury, lead
    2,3-bis(sulfanyl)propan-1-ol (Dimercaprol; British Anti-Lewisite; BAL)50–75 mg/m2 q 4 h for 5 days, deep I.M.Allergy, gastrointestinal symptoms, tachycardia, fever, elevation of liver function testsArsenic, gold, mercury, lead (BAL in combination with)
    Table 1 Overview of chelation drugs for mercury intoxication


    Ann Occup Environ Med : Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
    Close layer
    TOP