Why are Organomercury compounds toxic?
Why are Organomercury compounds toxic?
Alkyl mercury compounds have stable mercury–carbon bonds that are slowly cleaved after absorption, making these products more persistent and more toxic. Methylmercury is the most toxic of organomercurials, primarily due to its persistence (as demethylated inorganic mercury) within the central nervous system.
Which one is an Organomercurial fungicide?
An organic *fungicide containing mercury. Most of this group are phenylmercury derivatives, e.g. phenylmercuric acetate, and are used as *seed dressings.
What is organic mercury used for?
It is used in some thermometers, dental amalgams, fluorescent light bulbs, some electrical switches, mining, and some industrial processes. It is released into the air when coal and other fossil fuels are burned.
What is alkyl mercury?
The alkyl compounds of mercury present a significant human health hazard. These compounds, which are readily absorbed through the respiratory or gastrointestinal routes and only slowly eliminated from the body, can cause serious damage to the central nervous system, and may lead to death or permanent major disability.
What is organic mercury compounds?
Organic mercury compounds are formed when mercury combines with carbon. Microscopic organisms in water and soil can convert elemental and inorganic mercury into an organic mercury compound, methylmercury, which accumulates in the food chain.
What is mercury fungicide?
Mercury fungicides were used in agriculture to protect seeds and plants from fungal diseases. The only exception was the registration of a single liquid fungicide product for use on sugarcane, which was allowed to continue because of the relatively low application rate every 5 to 7 years.
Does mercury react with carbon?
No elemental mercury was observed on the activated carbon surface. From these results, they infer that an oxidation process, either in the gas- phase or simultaneously as the mercury atom interacts with the sorbent, is involved in the capture of elemental mercury.
How much mercury is considered toxic?
When the urine mercury concentration exceeds 100 μg/L, neurological symptoms can develop, and the level of 800 μg/L or above can be fatal. Organic mercury such as methylmercury is usually excreted to the feces.
Which pollutant is responsible for Minamata disease?
Minamata disease is a neurological disease caused by severe mercury poisoning.
What is the most toxic organomercurial?
Methylmercury is the most toxic of organomercurials, primarily due to its persistence (as demethylated inorganic mercury) within the central nervous system. Methylmercury that is not sequestered within the nervous system is demethylated and primarily excreted in the feces as inorganic mercury.
How does organomercury affect the nervous system?
Organomercury, particularly alkyl-mercuric compounds (e.g. methylmercury), has a selective effect on the granule cells of the cerebellum, the nerve cells of the calcarine cortex, and the sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia.
What is the structure of organomercury?
Organomercury refers to the group of organometallic compounds that contain mercury. Typically the Hg–C bond is stable toward air and moisture but sensitive to light. Important organomercury compounds are the methylmercury(II) cation, CH 3 Hg +; ethylmercury(II) cation, C 2 H 5 Hg +; dimethylmercury, (CH 3) 2 Hg,…
What is organic mercury toxicosis?
Organic mercury toxicosis usually occurs through ingestion of contaminated food products, especially fish and seafood products due to their bioaccumulation of mercury from contaminated water.
