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

MERCURY 342
2. HEALTH EFFECTS
Acute inhalation exposure to metallic mercury in rats and rabbits have resulted in death, respiratory,
gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, neurological, and/or developmental effects (Ashe et al. 1953; Fredriksson et
al. 1992; Livardjani et al. 1991b). Acute oral exposures to inorganic mercury have resulted in renal,
gastrointestinal, and thyroid effects in rats and/or mice (Dieter et al. 1992; Nielsen et al. 1991; NTP 1993;
Sin et al. 1990) and neurological effects in rats (Chang and Hartmann 1972a, 1972b). An acute oral MRL
was derived for inorganic mercury based on renal effects in rats (NTP 1993). Acute oral exposures to
organic mercury have resulted in renal, neurological, developmental, and reproductive effects in rats, mice,
guinea pigs, and rabbits (Arito and Takahashi 1991; Bornhausen et al. 1980; Cagiano et al. 1990; Chang
and Hartmann 1972b; Guidetti et al. 1992; Hughes and Annau 1976; Inouye and Kajiwara 1988; Jacobs et
al. 1977; Khera 1973; Khera and Tabacova 1973; Magos et al. 1985; Nolen et al. 1972; Post et al. 1973;
Stoltenburg-Didinger and Markwort 1990; Yasutake et al. 1991b). Well conducted animal studies on
neurological effects from an acute inhalation exposure to metallic mercury or to an acute dermal exposure
to organic mercury are needed because of the potential for these kinds of exposures to populations near
hazardous waste sites. The potential for latent or delayed expression of toxicity after an acute exposure to
mercury from all the most likely routes and forms (especially for a dermal exposure to dimethylmercury)
needs to be addressed.
Intermediate-Duration Exposure. Inhalation data on intermediate-duration exposure to metallic
mercury vapors are limited to case reports of individuals exhibiting cardiovascular, gastrointestinal,
hematological, renal, dermal, immunological, and neurological effects similar to acute exposures
(Anneroth et al. 1992; Barber 1978; Fagala and Wigg 1992; Foulds et al. 1987; Friberg et al. 1953;
Schwartz et al. 1992; Sexton et al. 1976; Taueg et al. 1992). Workers inhaling diethylmercury vapors
developed gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms prior to death (Hill 1943). No inhalation exposure
data are available on intermediate-duration exposure to mercuric mercury. Information on intermediate-
duration oral exposure to inorganic mercury is limited to the observation of neurological symptoms in a
boy who ingested Chinese medicine containing mercurous mercury for several months (Kang-Yum and
Oransky 1992). Intermediate-duration oral exposure to organic mercury has resulted in dermal,
neurological, and developmental toxicity (Al-Mufti et al. 1976; Amin-Zaki et al. 1974; Bakir et al. 1973;
Cox et al. 1989; Harada 1978; Marsh et al. 1980, 1981, 1987; Snyder and Seelinger 1976). Intermediateduration
dermal exposure to inorganic mercury has resulted in adverse gastrointestinal, renal, and
immunological health effects (Anneroth et al. 1992; Kang-Yum and Oransky 1992). No studies were
located that examined effects resulting from intermediate-duration dermal exposure to organic mercury.