These people should pay careful attention to state advisories that warn people against eating fish caught in mercury polluted waters. MRLs are not designed or intended for use in developing fish advisories. For further information on dietary guidance, reporters should contact FDA's press office. Additionally, the mercury toxicological profile contains expanded information about hazardous uses of elemental mercury, including folk medicinal and ethnic religious uses. Each toxicological profile examines, summarizes and interprets available toxicological information and epidemiological evaluations on a given hazardous substance.
Mercury occurs naturally in the environment.
In its elemental form, mercury is a shiny, silver-white metal that liquefies at room temperature. Mercury metal, the familiar liquid used in thermometers, electrical switches and silver-colored dental fillings, will evaporate to some extent at room temperature to form mercury vapor, a colorless, odorless gas. The toxicological profile contains information about in-depth studies of human populations exposed to low levels of methylmercury through seafood consumption. Exposure to methylmercury is more dangerous for developing fetuses and children under four years of age than for adults because it may interfere with normal brain development, causing additional developmental problems and nervous system disorders. The Clinton administration is working together across several agencies to protect public health from exposure to harmful levels of mercury.