RT Report
T1 Environmental Health Criteria 101: Methylmercury
A1 World Health Organization, 
A2 Clarkson, Thomas
K1 environmental health
K1 chemical
K1 toxic substance
PB World Health Organization
SN 92 4 157101 2
YR 1990
FD 1990
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29413
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29413
NO This report reviews the scientific information on mercury, covering its identity, physical and chemical properties, analytical methods, sources, environmental transport, distribution and transformation. It examines environmental levels and human exposure, including estimated daily intakes, as well as absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and retention in the human body. The report evaluates effects on organisms, experimental animals and in vitro systems, with particular attention to neurotoxicity, reproductive effects, developmental toxicity and carcinogenicity. It also examines human health effects, mechanisms of toxicity, dose-effect relationships, risk assessment, knowledge gaps and preventive measures.
NO Summary and Conclusions1.1 Identity, Physical and Chemical Properties, Analytical Methods1.2 Sources of Human and Environmental Exposure1.3 Environmental Transport, Distribution, and Transformation1.4 Environmental Levels and Human Exposure1.5 Kinetics and Metabolism1.6 Effects on Experimental Animals and In Vitro Systems1.7 Effects on Man – Mechanism of Action1.8 ConclusionsIdentity, Physical and Chemical Properties, Analytical Methods2.1 Identity2.2 Physical and Chemical Properties2.3 Conversion Factors2.4 Analytical Methods2.4.1 Sampling2.4.2 Analytical Procedures2.4.3 Quality Control and Quality AssuranceSources of Human and Environmental Exposure3.1 Natural Occurrence3.2 Man-Made Sources3.3 UsesEnvironmental Transport, Distribution, and Transformation4.1 Transport and Distribution Between Media4.2 Biotransformation4.3 Interaction With Other Physical, Chemical, or Biological FactorsEnvironmental Levels and Human Exposure5.1 Environmental Levels5.1.1 Air5.1.2 Water5.1.3 Food5.2 General Population Exposure5.2.1 Estimated Daily IntakesKinetics and Metabolism6.1 Absorption6.2 Distribution6.3 Metabolic Transformation6.4 Elimination and Excretion6.5 Retention and Turnover6.6 Reference or Normal Levels in Indicator Media6.7 Reaction With Body ComponentsEffects on Organisms in the EnvironmentEffects on Experimental Animals and In Vitro Test Systems8.1 Neurotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity8.2 Reproduction, Embryotoxicity, and Teratogenicity8.3 Mutagenicity and Related End-Points8.4 Carcinogenicity8.5 Special Studies8.6 Factors Modifying Toxicity; Toxicity of MetabolitesEffects on Man9.1 General Population Exposure9.1.1 Effects on Adults9.1.1.1 Effects on the Nervous System9.1.1.2 Effects on Non-Nervous Tissue9.1.2 Effects on Developing Tissues9.1.2.1 Effects on the Nervous System9.2 Occupational Exposure9.3 Mechanisms of Toxicity9.3.1 The Mature Organism9.3.1.1 Mechanism of Selective Damage9.3.1.2 The Latent Period9.3.1.3 Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms9.3.2 Developing Tissues9.3.3 Summary9.4 Dose-Effect and Dose-Response Relationships in Human Beings9.4.1 Adult Exposure9.4.1.1 The Minamata and Niigata Outbreaks9.4.1.2 The Iraqi Outbreak9.4.1.3 Exposed Populations in Canada9.4.1.4 Other Fish-Eating Populations9.4.1.5 Special Groups9.4.1.6 Summary9.4.2 Prenatal Exposure9.4.2.1 Iraq9.4.2.2 Canada9.4.2.3 New Zealand9.4.2.4 SummaryEvaluation of Human Health Risks10.1 Exposure Levels and Routes10.2 Toxic Effects10.2.1 Adults10.2.2 Prenatal Exposure10.3 ConclusionsRecommendations11.1 Gaps in Knowledge11.2 Preventive MeasuresPrevious Evaluations by International BodiesReferencesAppendix
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 16, 2026