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

MERCURY 429
5. POTENTIAL FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE
(1974) also reported the deaths of two individuals due to the excessive use of a laxative preparation
containing mercurous chloride (calomel).
Metallic mercury has been used by Mexican American and Asian populations in traditional remedies for
chronic stomach disorders (Espinoza et al. 1995; 1996; Geffner and Sandler 1980; Trotter 1985). Most
recently, Perharic et al. (1994) reported cases of poisonings resulting from exposure to traditional remedies
and food supplements reported to the National Poisons Unit in London, England. From 1989 to 1991,
elemental mercury was implicated in several poisonings following exposure to traditional Asian medicines.
In one case, the mercury concentration in the medicinal product taken orally was 540 mg/g (540,000 ppm).
The mercury was in its elemental or metallic form. Espinoza et al. (1995, 1996) reported that while
examining imported Chinese herbal balls for the presence of products from endangered species, the authors
detected potentially toxic levels of arsenic and mercury in certain herbal ball preparations. Herbal balls are
aromatic, malleable, earth-toned, roughly spherical, hand-rolled mixtures primarily composed of herbs and
honey that are used to make medicinal teas. These herbal balls are used as a self-medication for a wide
variety of conditions, including fever, rheumatism, apoplexy, and cataracts. Herbal balls similar to those
analyzed are readily available in specialty markets throughout the United States. Mercury (probably
mercury sulfide) was detected in 8 of the 9 herbal balls tested. The recommended adult dose for the herbal
balls is two per day. Ingesting two herbal balls could theoretically provide a dose of up to 1,200 mg of
mercury.
Samudralwar and Garg (1996) conducted trace metal analysis on a variety of plants used in Indian herbal
remedies and other medicinal preparations. These authors reported mercury concentrations of 139, 180, 27,
12.5, 11.7, and