A Model for the Kinetics of Mercury Elimination

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Abstract
A four-compartment model was postulated, consisting of long- and short-term compartments (the kidneys and liver, respectively) a tissue compartment (the balance of the body), and an excretion reservoir. Assuming first-order kinetics, differential equations were written describing the rate of change of mercury in each compartment following a single exposure; the equations were solved using numerical parameter values obtained from an earlier experiment with Hg(NO3)2. The model was tested by injecting rats with 203HgCl2 at dose levels of 25, 50, and 100 μg Hg/kg. Mercury retention, as measured by whole-body counting, and mercury elimination, as measured by analyses of urine and feces, agreed with predictions based on the model.