Sources and Uses of Methylmercury

Daily Exposure to Inorganic Mercury:
    Inorganic mercury has been used in laxatives, whitening creams, soaps, latex paints, and catalysts for the production of acetaldehyde in the past. In 1990, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency eliminated all mercury-containing interior paints. After 1991, no mercury was allowed in exterior paint. Although most agricultural and medical uses of inorganic mercury have ceased in the United States, mercuric chloride is still used as a disinfectant and insecticide.

​

Sources of Methylmercury:
    Methylmercury is produced by methylation of inorganic mercury. Methylation of mercury is divided into biotic methylation and abiotic methylation.
    Biotic methylation refers to the process of converting inorganic mercury into methylmercury through the action of methylcobalamin in the presence of microorganisms. Abiotic methylation refers to the process of converting inorganic mercury into methylmercury by methyl donors (acetate, iodomethane, amino acids, etc.) under the effect of light.

​​

Uses of Methylmercury:
    Methylmercury is used in fluorescent lamps, batteries, polyvinyl chloride, and fungicide.