an organic form of mercury caused by microorganism transformation of inorganic mercury.
(organic mercury) toxic form, at high concentrations, of mercury found in the environment (air, water, soil, plants and animals) and is different from elemental mercury (thermometers, dental amalgams). Industrial mercury can enter water systems, which is then converted into methylmercury and can contaminate exposed fish or shellfish, entering the human food chain.
a toxic form of organic mercury often found in recently submerged areas
A human-made molecule, synthesized for commercial purposes (to kill mold), and a naturally occurring compound made by certain bacteria. Methylmercury penetrates the brain and is a potent neurotoxin. Methylmercury also crosses the placenta, and, as a result, a large number of women who were exposed during pregnancy in past methylmercury epidemics gave birth to severely brain-damaged children.
An organic form of mercury, created from metallic or elemental mercury by bacteria in sediments. Methylmercury is easily absorbed into the living tissue of aquatic organisms and is not easily eliminated. Therefore, it accumulates in organisms at the top of food chains such as tuna or humans. It can cause adverse effects in children exposed before or after birth.
This organic form of mercury is produced when mercury enters oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams and is converted to methylmercury by certain bacteria. In large doses, methylmercury is a human neurotoxin. Methylmercury is rapidly absorbed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to then possibly enter the adult and fetal brain. Methylmercury is not harmful to people in trace amounts. The chemical abbreviation for methylmercury is MeHg.
A man-made molecule, synthesized for commercial purposes and a naturally occuring compound made by certain bacteria. Methylmercury, which has found wide use as a mold killer, penetrates the brain and is a potent neurotoxin. Methylmercury also crosses the placenta and as a result, large numbers of pregnant women who were exposed in past methylmercury epidemics bore severely brain-damaged children.()
Mercury, like other metals, can be found in different chemical forms in the environment. Methylmercury is the form of mercury that is most likely to cause adverse health effects. Methylmercury can also bioaccumulate and biomagnify in food webs. Methylmercury can accumulate in the brain.
a form of mercury that is toxic in high doses and can harm a developing baby if eaten by a pregnant woman. Methylmercury comes from environmental pollution and accumulates in some fish. Certain types of fish should be avoided or limited during pregnancy because of the methylmercury in them. Avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces per week of fish that is lower in methylmercury (e.g., shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, catfish). Canned albacore (white) tuna or tuna steaks should be limited to six ounces per week.
Methylmercury (sometimes methyl mercury) is an organometallic cation with the formula [CH3Hg]+. It is a bioaccumulative environmental toxin.
