Methylmercury
Methylmercury
Methylmercury (pronounced: meth-uhl-mur-kyuh-ree) is a highly toxic form of mercury. It is a compound that is produced when mercury comes into contact with certain types of bacteria. Methylmercury is a potent neurotoxin, meaning it has damaging effects on the nervous system.
Etymology
The term "methylmercury" is derived from the chemical compound it represents. "Methyl" refers to the methyl group (CH3) in its molecular structure, and "mercury" is the heavy metal element it contains.
Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
Methylmercury is known for its ability to bioaccumulate in organisms and biomagnify up the food chain. This means that it can build up in organisms over time and can reach dangerous levels in predators at the top of the food chain, such as large fish and humans.
Exposure and Health Effects
Exposure to methylmercury most commonly occurs through the consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish. It can lead to serious health problems, including neurological damage. Symptoms of methylmercury poisoning can include impaired motor skills, numbness in the hands and feet, and problems with vision, hearing, and speech.
Prevention and Treatment
Prevention of methylmercury exposure primarily involves avoiding or limiting consumption of certain types of fish known to contain high levels of the toxin. Treatment for methylmercury poisoning can involve the use of certain medications that help to remove the toxin from the body.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Methylmercury
- Wikipedia's article - Methylmercury
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski