Mercury Poisoning
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Basics
Description
Mercury:- 3 forms: Elemental, inorganic salts, and organic
- Reacts with sulfhydryl groups, causing enzyme inhibition and alterations in cellular membranes
- Binds to phosphoryl, carboxyl, amide, and amine groups of enzymes
Etiology
- Exposure is usually through the GI tract and inhalation and less frequently dermal exposure
- Exposure through manufacturing of chlorine, ceramics, antibacterial agents, pesticides, thermometers, batteries, fossil fuels, plastics, paints, jewelry, lamps, explosives, fireworks, vinyl chloride, and dyes
- Exposure through taxidermy, photography, mercury mining, and embalming
- Contaminated seafood and grains
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Basics
Description
Mercury:- 3 forms: Elemental, inorganic salts, and organic
- Reacts with sulfhydryl groups, causing enzyme inhibition and alterations in cellular membranes
- Binds to phosphoryl, carboxyl, amide, and amine groups of enzymes
Etiology
- Exposure is usually through the GI tract and inhalation and less frequently dermal exposure
- Exposure through manufacturing of chlorine, ceramics, antibacterial agents, pesticides, thermometers, batteries, fossil fuels, plastics, paints, jewelry, lamps, explosives, fireworks, vinyl chloride, and dyes
- Exposure through taxidermy, photography, mercury mining, and embalming
- Contaminated seafood and grains
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