what is advantage of taken mercury in to our body?
Although mercury and its compounds are toxic substances, there is ongoing debate about exactly how toxic they are. [ Toxic effects, especially in the case of methylmercury, may be taking place at lower concentrations than previously thought, but this is proving difficult to establish because the suspected toxic effects are subtle and their mechanisms complex. Methylmercury is of particular concern because it can accumulate in the food chain to reach high concentrations (biomagnification). More...
2.1.1 Methylmercury is special among organic mercury compounds because large numbers of people
are exposed to it and its toxicity is better understood. Methylmercury in food, such as fish, is a particular health hazard because it is easily taken up into the body through the stomach and intestines.
It is a poison for the nervous system. Exposure during pregnancy is of most concern, because it may harm the development of the unborn baby’s brain. Some studies suggest that small increases in exposure may affect the heart and circulatory system.
Moreover, there is some evidence at present that methylmercury can cause cancer in humans, but it is far from conclusive: the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified methylmercury as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B). ]
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Asked 9/25/2012 5:46:05 AM
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