Methylmercury uptake/excretion

Among organomercury species currently of interest, ethylmercury (EtHg) is a compound that requires further attention as it is still used in Thiomersal for preservation of vaccines. It is important to analyze ethylmercury in vaccines, in wastewater from waste treatment plants in industries using ethylmercury, as well biological samples in order to understand ethylmercury uptake, distribution, excretion, and effects. In principle, methods developed for methylmercury can also be used for ethylmercury, except in the protocols using derivatization by ethylation. In such cases propylation is recommended. 

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