Mercury toxicology mechanisms

ImuraN, Naganuma A. 1991. Possible mechanism of detoxifying effect of selenium on the toxicity of mercury compounds. In Suzuki T, ImuraN, Clarkson TW, eds. Advances in mercury toxicology. New York, NY Plenum Press, 275-288. 

Mechanisms. Mercury is a ubiquitous pollutant with many sources, both anthropogenic and natural. Natural emissions to the atmosphere, as repotted by the WHO, are an estimated 2,700-6,000 tons/year [24], Human actions contribute another 2,000-3,000 tons/year. Mercury, in its various forms, is also highly persistent and is a bioaccumulator. The Chlorine Institute (Cl) [25] has published an extensive review of its sources and its toxicology. EC [26] has adopted a code of practice to control the exposure of workers to mercury. 

Bhattacharyya MH, Peterson DP (1979) Action of DTPA on hepatic plutonium. III. Evidence for a direct chelation mechanism for DTPA-induced excretion of monomeric plutonium into rat bile. Radiat Res 80 108-115 Bluhm RE, Bobbit RG, Welch LW, Wood AJJ, Bonfiglio JF, Sarzen C, Heath AJ, Branch RA (1992) Elemental mercury vapour toxicity, treatment, and prognosis after acute, intensive exposure in chloralkali plant workers. I. History, neuropsychological findings and chelator effects. Hum Exp Toxicol 11 201-210 Buchet JP, Lauwerys RR (1989) Influence of 2,3 dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate and dimercaptosuccinic acid on the mobilization of mercury from tissues of rats pretreated with mercuric chloride, phenylmercury acetate or mercury vapors. Toxicology 54 323-333... 

Lead and mercury account for most of the literature on the behavioral toxicity of metals vvdth lead generating the most intense debates about public policy and biological mechanisms. Yet as Table 1 demonstrates other metals also are toxicologically as well as biologically important. They have not except for scattered reports received the searching evaluations available through advanced behavioral technology. 

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