Of mercury toxicosis

F. I Toxicity varies among different species and with different forms of mercury. Chronic methyl mercury toxicosis results from continued exposure to dosages of 0.2-5.0 mgAg body weight. 

Blindness, coma, evidence of severe brain damage, and a high mortality rate are typical of organic mercury toxicosis. Mercury accumulates to dangerous concentrations in the kidneys and muscle and is retained indefinitely, making residues in poisoned animals a serious public health threat. 

Analysis of liver, kidney and brain provide the most widely accepted diagnosis of metal concentrations that may produce toxicosis (26, 30, 72). Liver and kidney accumulate most inorganic forms of metals, and organometallic forms of compounds such as methyl mercury may concenti ate in the brain (72). The route of exposure can be evaluated through food item analysis. Food samples can be collected, identified, and separated for residue analysis. The concentration data will provide a distribution of metal(s) in the dietary components (73). Regurgitation samples from some species can also provide food samples to quantify metal exposure 57, 60). 

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