Am Fam Physician. 1992 Dec;46(6):1731-41.
Because mercury has several forms and because it produces subtle effects at chronic low-level exposures, mercury toxicity can be a difficult diagnosis to establish. Elemental mercury vapor accounts for most occupational and many accidental exposures. The main source of organic methyl mercury exposure in the general population is fish consumption. Children are at increased risk of exposure to elemental mercury vapor in the home because it tends to settle to the floor. The chemical and physical forms of mercury determine its absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion pathways. The central nervous system and kidneys are key targets of mercury toxicity. Chelation therapy has been used successfully in treating patients who have ingested mercury salts or inhaled elemental mercury. There is no antidote for patients poisoned with organic mercury.
由于汞有多种形态，且在慢性低剂量暴露时会产生微妙影响，汞中毒很难确诊。元素汞蒸气是大多数职业性暴露和许多意外暴露的原因。普通人群中有机甲基汞暴露的主要来源是食用鱼类。儿童在家中接触元素汞蒸气的风险增加，因为汞蒸气往往会沉降到地板上。汞的化学和物理形态决定了其吸收、代谢、分布和排泄途径。中枢神经系统和肾脏是汞中毒的主要靶器官。螯合疗法已成功用于治疗摄入汞盐或吸入元素汞的患者。对于有机汞中毒的患者没有解毒剂。
