Intravenous Elemental Mercury Injection: Blood Levels and Excretion of Mercury

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Abstract
Blood level and excretion of Hg was measured in a patient who injected i.v., 1 ml (13.6 g) of elemental Hg. The chest radiograph showed metallic densities delineating small pulmonary vessels. The patient had no signs or symptoms of Hg intoxication in the year after injection. Hg blood levels were essentially constant, averaging 62 ng/ml. Although exhalation of Hg vapor was a major route of excretion and urinary Hg rose 5-fold with penicillamine administration excretion by all routes, estimated for the year after injection, represented only 1% of the dose. Total body clearance of Hg was only 5 ml/min. Penicillamine was of little value in reducing the body burden of Hg. Acute systemic Hg intoxication is unlikely after intravascular elemental Hg injection because blood Hg levels are low.

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