Children’s Exposure to Mercury Compounds; 2010

Overview

For centuries, human exposure to mercury has resulted in severe and often tragic health consequences, particularly for the world’s children. Mercury intoxication, both chronic and acute, has been recognized worldwide as a significant contributor to environmental burden of disease.

All forms of mercury are toxic, and children, as well as the developing fetus, are particularly sensitive to most, if not all of these forms. As a neurodevelopmental toxicant, mercury poses a specific threat to the developing fetus and to the child in early life. Fetal exposure to high levels of methylmercury has led to devastating congenital malformations, infantile cerebral palsy, and neurocognitive effects.

This document presents the various sources and routes of childhood exposures to mercury and mercury compounds and reviews the specific vulnerabilities of children to the effects of this neurodevelopmental toxicant. The particular susceptibility of the developing fetus to in utero mercury exposures is highlighted. Children’s exposures to mercury pose a significant threat to their healthy development. The main sources of mercury in the environment result from anthropogenic activity.