TY - JOUR
T1 - Technical report
T2 - Mercury in the environment: Implications for pediatricians
AU - Balk, Sophie J.
AU - Gitterman, Benjamin A.
AU - Miller, Mark D.
AU - Shannon, Michael W.
AU - Shea, Katherine M.
AU - Weil, William B.
AU - Cummins, Susan K.
AU - Galson, Steven
AU - Linet, Martha
AU - Miller, Robert W.
AU - Rogan, Walter
AU - Coven, Barbara
AU - Etzel, Ruth A.
AU - Goldman, Lynn R.
AU - Hall, Lauri A.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental toxin that causes a wide range of adverse health effects in humans. Three forms of mercury (elemental, inorganic, and organic) exist, and each has its own profile of toxicity. Exposure to mercury typically occurs by inhalation or ingestion. Readily absorbed after its inhalation, mercury can be an indoor air pollutant, for example, after spills of elemental mercury in the home; however, industry emissions with resulting ambient air pollution remain the most important source of inhaled mercury. Because fresh-water and ocean fish may contain large amounts of mercury, children and pregnant women can have significant exposure if they consume excessive amounts of fish. The developing fetus and young children are thought to be disproportionately affected by mercury exposure, because many aspects of development, particularly brain maturation, can be disturbed by the presence of mercury. Minimizing mercury exposure is, therefore, essential to optimal child health. This review provides pediatricians with current information on mercury, including environmental sources, toxicity, and treatment and prevention of mercury exposure.
AB - Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental toxin that causes a wide range of adverse health effects in humans. Three forms of mercury (elemental, inorganic, and organic) exist, and each has its own profile of toxicity. Exposure to mercury typically occurs by inhalation or ingestion. Readily absorbed after its inhalation, mercury can be an indoor air pollutant, for example, after spills of elemental mercury in the home; however, industry emissions with resulting ambient air pollution remain the most important source of inhaled mercury. Because fresh-water and ocean fish may contain large amounts of mercury, children and pregnant women can have significant exposure if they consume excessive amounts of fish. The developing fetus and young children are thought to be disproportionately affected by mercury exposure, because many aspects of development, particularly brain maturation, can be disturbed by the presence of mercury. Minimizing mercury exposure is, therefore, essential to optimal child health. This review provides pediatricians with current information on mercury, including environmental sources, toxicity, and treatment and prevention of mercury exposure.
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U2 - 10.1542/peds.108.1.197
DO - 10.1542/peds.108.1.197
M3 - Review article
C2 - 11433078
AN - SCOPUS:0034950744
SN - 0031-4005
VL - 108
SP - 197
EP - 205
JO - Pediatrics
JF - Pediatrics
IS - 1
ER -