Biomaterial Database

[A theoretical study on the maximum permissible concentration of mercury vapor (author's transl)]. 1979

H Satoh, and T Suzuki

Mercury concentrations in the brain of man exposed to mercury vapor at or around the maximum permissible concentration were estimated by two mathematical models using informatins obtained from human and animal experiments. (formula: see text) Ac=concentration in the brain, C=concentration in air, V=ventilation volume, T=daily exposure time, R=proportion of mercury vapor retained after a single inhalation, D=proportion distributed to the brain, W=weight of the brain, b=elimination constant of mercury vapor in the brain, d=elimination constant of mercuric mercury in the brain, c=proportion of oxidization of elemental mercury in the brain. Model 1 is composed from a simple hypothesis that mercury vapor retained in the brain takes a single elimination coefficient, and in Model 2, a modification of Model 1, the part of elemental mercury retained in the brain is oxidized and thus has a different biological half-time from elemental mercury. During exposure to mercury vapor at the concentration of 0.05 mgHg/m3, estimated concentrations in the brain by Model 1 do not exceed a hypothetical critical concentration in the brain of 1.0 micrometerHg/g tissue but the estimated concentration by Model 2 exceeds this level.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008452	Maximum Allowable Concentration	The maximum exposure to a biologically active physical or chemical agent that is allowed during an 8-hour period (a workday) in a population of workers, or during a 24-hour period in the general population, which does not appear to cause appreciable harm, whether immediate or delayed for any period, in the target population. (From Lewis Dictionary of Toxicology, 1st ed)	Maximum Permissible Exposure Level,MPEL,Maximum Permissible Exposure Concentration,Allowable Concentration, Maximum,Allowable Concentrations, Maximum,Concentration, Maximum Allowable,Concentrations, Maximum Allowable,MPELs,Maximum Allowable Concentrations
D008628	Mercury	A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to MERCURY POISONING. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing.
D008962	Models, Theoretical	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of systems, processes, or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Experimental Model,Experimental Models,Mathematical Model,Model, Experimental,Models (Theoretical),Models, Experimental,Models, Theoretic,Theoretical Study,Mathematical Models,Model (Theoretical),Model, Mathematical,Model, Theoretical,Models, Mathematical,Studies, Theoretical,Study, Theoretical,Theoretical Model,Theoretical Models,Theoretical Studies
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014835	Volatilization	A phase transition from liquid state to gas state, which is affected by Raoult's law. It can be accomplished by fractional distillation.	Vaporization,Volatility