revised final - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ...

MERCURY 159
2. HEALTH EFFECTS
patient exhibited blue-black pigmentation in a perifollicular distribution on the chin and glabella (Dyall-
Smith and Scurry 1990). A skin biopsy revealed black nonrefractile granules in the cytoplasm of
macrophages in the papillary dermis and around the upper part of hair follicles. A boy who broke a
thermometer in his mouth developed a mass consisting of hyperplasia of the epidermis, necrosis, and
ulceration (Sau et al. 1991). This effect may have resulted from a combined effect of the physical injury
and the mercury metal.
No studies were located regarding dermal effects in animals after dermal exposure to inorganic mercury.
Organic Mercury. Case report studies suggest that dermal exposure to methylmercury or phenylmercury in
humans can cause rashes and blisters on the skin (Hunter et al. 1940; Morris 1960). A 33-year-old male
worker exposed to methylmercury nitrate dust for 2 years developed burns and blisters on his forearm
(Hunter et al. 1940). These effects healed within 9 days. Sensitivity to phenylmercuric salts is shown by
individuals who developed itchy, pruritic, papular eruptions or rashes on their skin following acute dermal
exposure (Morris 1960). A 54-year-old woman with a family history of atopy was found to display
erythema (at 30 minutes postexposure) and urticaria (at 60 minutes) when treated topically with a 0.01%
solution of phenylmercuric acetate (Torresani et al. 1993). This positive reaction was associated with
aggravation of facial edema and an attack of bronchospasm. The woman, who was a farmer, was believed
to have been previously exposed to phenylmercuric acetate during contact with pesticides and herbicides
used on farm crops.
No studies were located regarding dermal effects in animals following dermal exposure to organic mercury.
Ocular Effects. No studies were located regarding ocular effects in humans or animals after dermal
exposure to inorganic or organic mercury.
Body Weight Effects. No studies were located regarding body weight effects in humans or animals
after dermal exposure to inorganic or organic mercury.
2.2.3.3 Immunological and Lymphoreticular Effects
Inorganic Mercury. As indicated above, contact dermatitis may develop as a result of acute or
occupational exposure to inorganic mercury (Anneroth et al. 1992; Bagley et al. 1987; Biro and Klein