NYC-WTC_000199884

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

MERCURY Page 2 CAS # 7439-97-6 loxIAQs Internet address via WWW is littp://wwu.atsdr.cdc.g<)v/toxtaq.html

vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or heart rate, rooms where liquid mercury has been used. skin rashes, and eye irritation. Learn about wildlife and fish advisories in your area from your public health or natural resources department. How likely is mercury to cause cancer? There are inadequate human cancer data available for all Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been forms of mercury. Mercuric chloride has caused increases in exposed to mercury? several types of tumors in rats and mice, and methylmercury Tests are available to measure mercury levels in the body. has caused kidney tumors in male mice. The EPA has deter­ Blood or urine samples are used to test for exposure to metallic mined that mercuric chloride and methylmercury are possible mercury and to inorganic forms of mercury. Mercury in whole human carcinogens. blood or in scalp hair is measured to determine exposure to methylmercury. Your doctor can take samples and send them to How can mercury affect children? a testing laboratory. Very young children are more sensitive to mercury than adults. Mercury in the mother’s body passes to the fetus and Has the federal government made may accumulate there. It can also can pass to a nursing infant recommendations to protect human health? through breast milk. However, the benefits of breast feeding may be greater than the possible adverse effects of mercury in The EPA has set a limit of 2 parts of mercury per billion parts of drinking water (2 ppb). breast milk. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a maxi­ Mercury’s harmful effects that may be passed from the mum permissible level of 1 part of methylmercury in a million mother to the fetus include brain damage, mental retardation, parts of seafood (1 ppm). incoordination, blindness, seizures, and inability to speak. Children poisoned by mercury may develop problems of their The Occupational Safety and Health Administration nervous and digestive systems, and kidney damage. (OSH A) has set limits of 0.1 milligram of organic mercury per cubic meter of workplace air (0.1 mg/m’) and 0.05 mg/m^ of How can families reduce the risk of exposure to metallic mercury vapor for 8-hour shifts and 40-hour work mercury? weeks. Carefully handle and dispose of products that contain Source of Information mercury, such as thermometers or fluorescent light bulbs. Do Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry not vacuum up spilled mercury, because it will vaporize and (ATSDR). 1999. Toxicological profile for mercury. Atlanta, increase exposure. If a large amount of mercury has been GA; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public spilled, contact your health department. Teach children not to Health Service. play with shiny, silver liquids. Animal testing is sometimes necessary to find out how Properly dispose of older medicines that contain mercury. toxic substances might harm people and how to treat people Keep all mercury-containing medicines away from children. who have been exposed. Laws today protect the welfare of Pregnant women and children should keep away from research animals and scientists must follow strict guidelines.

Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-29, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone; 1-888-422-8737, FAX: 404-639-6359. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

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NYC-WTC_000199884