

If you are concerned about an exposure to inorganic mercury, you should consult your physician. Some states set MCLs which are more strict than EPA's. for many years could experience kidney damage. EPA sets MCLs at levels that are economically and technologically feasible. MCLs ensure that drinking water does not pose either a short-term or long-term health risk. New environmental policies under the Minamata Convention rely on a yet-poorly-known understanding of how mercury emissions translate into fish methylmercury levels.

Some people who drink water containing inorganic mercury substantially in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) maximum contaminant level (MCL)The highest level of a contaminant that EPA allows in drinking water. Humans are exposed to toxic methylmercury mainly by consuming marine fish.

Symptoms of high exposures to inorganic mercury include: Both inorganic and organic mercury are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and affect other systems through this route. Methylmercury is a hazardous substance that is of interest with regard to environmental health, as inorganic mercury circulating in the general environment is dissolved into freshwater and seawater, condensed through the food chain, ingested by humans, and consequently affects human health. High exposure to inorganic mercury may result in damage to the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system, and the kidneys.
