Скачать или смотреть Metallic mercury, Inorganic mercury compounds (mercuric chloride), Organic mercury (methyl mercury)

Mercury exists in three major forms, each with distinct chemical properties, sources, and health effects. Here's a breakdown of metallic mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds like methylmercury:

🌡️ 1. Metallic (Elemental) Mercury – Hg⁰
Appearance: Shiny, silver liquid at room temperature.

Uses: Thermometers, barometers, dental amalgams, fluorescent bulbs.

Exposure Route: Mainly through inhalation of mercury vapor.

Health Effects:

Acute exposure: Tremors, mood swings, sensory disturbances.

Chronic exposure: Neurological symptoms like irritability, memory loss, and erethism (excessive shyness).

Can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it particularly dangerous to the central nervous system.

⚗️ 2. Inorganic Mercury Compounds – e.g., Mercuric Chloride (HgCl₂)
Forms: Mercuric chloride, mercuric sulfide, mercurous chloride.

Uses: Historically used in antiseptics, skin-lightening creams, and photographic development.

Exposure Route: Primarily through ingestion.

Health Effects:

Highly corrosive to the gastrointestinal tract2.

Chronic exposure can lead to kidney damage, developmental abnormalities, and even tumors in animal studies.

Less likely to cross the blood-brain barrier compared to elemental mercury.

🧬 3. Organic Mercury Compounds – e.g., Methylmercury (CH₃Hg⁺)
Sources: Bioaccumulates in fish and seafood from mercury-contaminated waters.

Exposure Route: Ingestion (especially via diet).

Health Effects:

Profound central nervous system toxicity: paresthesia, blurred vision, speech difficulties.

Developmental effects: Infants exposed in utero may suffer from cerebral palsy, blindness, and mental retardation.

Targets brain, liver, kidneys, and crosses the placenta and into breast milk.

⚠️ Summary Table
Mercury Type Example Exposure Route Key Health Effects
Elemental Mercury Hg⁰ Inhalation CNS effects, tremors, erethism
Inorganic Compounds Mercuric chloride Ingestion GI damage, kidney toxicity
Organic Compounds Methylmercury Ingestion (fish) Neurotoxicity, developmental disorders


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