United Kingdom – Elemental and Inorganic Mercury: Toxicological Overview and Public Health Implications

This guidance from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UK HSA) provides a toxicological profile of elemental and inorganic mercury, emphasizing routes of exposure, kinetics, and associated health risks. Elemental mercury primarily enters the body via inhalation, affecting the central nervous system (CNS) and kidneys, while inorganic mercury compounds are mostly ingested, targeting the gastrointestinal tract and renal function. Acute exposure to mercury vapour can lead to respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal effects. Chronic inhalation may result in tremors, irritability, nephrotoxicity, and oral lesions. Ingestion of inorganic mercury may cause severe GI damage and renal failure. Dermal and ocular exposure may result in contact dermatitis or acrodynia. Mercury is classified by IARC as Group 3 (not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity), and evidence of mutagenicity or teratogenicity remains limited. This overview supports informed risk assessments and emergency response planning.