Question

What is methyl mercury? II. Sources of Methyl Mercury? III. Health concerns and potential receptors? IV. Susceptibility ? V. Remediation? VI. Long term effects? VII. Existing studies and guidelines? VIII. Risk? IX. Is the trade off worth it? We need energy.?

Answer 1

• Methyl mercury , a very poisonous form of mercury is an organometallic cation with the formula [CH₃Hg]⁺
• It forms when bacteria react with mercury in water, soil, or plants. It has been used to preserve grain that is fed to animals
• Methylmercury poisoning has occurred in people who have eaten meat from animals that ate grain that was treated with this from of mercury. Poisoning from eating fish from water that is contaminated with methylmercury has also occurred
• Methylmercury is toxic to the central and peripheral nervous systems. The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal.

• Ingested methylmercury is readily and completely absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. It is mostly found complexed with free cysteine and with proteins and peptides containing that amino acid.

• It is transported freely throughout the body including across the blood–brain barrier and across the placenta, where it is absorbed by the developing fetus. Methylmercury has a half-life in human blood of about 50 days.

• Strict avoidance of any foods contaminated with methylmercury will prevent poisoning.