Effects of Mercury on human health

Abstract

         According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mercury is among one of the ten substances that represent a significant health problem. Contamination of the environment with mercury and its compounds is possible through natural and artificial ways from ill-conceived or deliberate actions. These include human consumption of mercury-contaminated seafood and fumes released during the industrial processes. When plants are poisoned by mercury, mercury disrupts their physiological state by binding to sulfhydryl, phosphoryl, carboxyl, and amide groups of cells, which is manifested by the widespread dysfunction of the main mechanisms. Elemental, organic, and inorganic forms of mercury enter the body in different ways. Elemental enters the body through inhalation and organic and inorganic through the gastrointestinal tract. Mercury in the body damages the central nervous system (CNS), the gastrointestinal tract, and the kidneys. Acute and chronic poisoning differ in ways and forms mercury enters the body. Air saturated with elemental mercury usually causes acute poisoning, while chronic poisoning results from organic and inorganic mercury poisoning. During poisoning, various antidotes are used, including succimer, unitiol, penicillamine, dimercaprol, and other detoxification agents. In 2013, the recommendations of the WHO (World Health Organization) and other organizations on the protection of human health and the environment from anthropogenic releases of mercury and its compounds are reflected in the Minamata Convention – “About Mercury”. The article discusses the mechanisms of the clinical manifestation of mercury poisoning neurotoxicity and the role of selenium in reducing the damage caused by mercury. Research data is presented on the potential pathogenic role of mercury in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, the connection with Alzheimer's disease, and modern methods of managing mercury poisoning.