0 That pollution can travel halfway around the world and then settle into lakes, rivers, and oceans, where it is absorbed or ingested by small organisms and then starts working its way up the food chain, its concentration rising with each step. 20 ppb mercury = Neurite membrane structure destroyed (Leong et al., Neuroreport 2001; 12: 733-37). Other organizations suggest lower exposure levels. xref 0000000016 00000 n As an alternative to fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acids and other fish oils can be extracted from … 0000000556 00000 n The major source of mercury is from natural degassing of the earth's crust in the range of 25,000-150,000 tons of mercury per year (Hg/yr). Mercury also combines with carbon to make organic mercury compounds. You may also sort the table by SPECIES in alphabetical order. It is assumed that most pediatric vaccines containing Thimerosal were “off the shelves” by 2003. Ocean fish have average mercury levels of 0.21 ppm. “Light tuna in water” contained lower mercury (x–= 54 ppb) compared with “white/albacore tuna in water,” which contained higher eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid (EPA/DHA) x–= 711 mg/100 g wet tissue). ��HZ�uNԃ��ʄn"ƕø�.M}���/�.r§��p"�BuE�a�F[I+��q�BW}4N��H�W>��m�H�#��"�~i���mރ�S�f0��O��qT�:gS�.�M���Vxe2w6lm�dr�{1q-H,��[��!ݙ?��,��Mߝ���剗�6�`��i���zX5��}��X�����D����zWՙ��q`�����I>������]5{��f۶9 ��E��n���nے�tҖ-���p����߸��)C��[�����Q|����6� �. Mercury: dangerous levels 3-4 ppb, concerning levels 1-3 ppb, and safer levels 0-1 ppb. 0000003401 00000 n This can be confirmed by simply analyzing the multi- dose vials. Unfortunately, it is quite easy to exceed the Reference Dose for mercury intake by eating fish often, even if that fish contains much less than 1 ppm mercury. j�)Fc �-,¤�� ���2���e� Y�H#�\�F�@�����*1�~�PY8���e�E�r�>`X�q �Xږ��b5�r �0 kT_ Most, but not all, influenza vaccine still contains Thimerosal. These Thimerosal-containing version exceed federal safety guidelines mentioned earlier. endstream endobj 79 0 obj<> endobj 80 0 obj<> endobj 1 0 obj<> endobj 2 0 obj<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/ExtGState<>>> endobj 3 0 obj<>stream The most notable exception to this is the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine. 70 0 obj<>stream (ʜP�����Q��QzGo�����H�Ng��ŷ�`�-HC�>"���?%��„�ڂ}�Ӆ2S�0���SJ�t�~d���}��wn]���7�KLe����a��/KK�o�%w��ƻ���%4�n�Xs�:: Background levels in nonurban settings are even lower. So a woman weighing 140 pounds would weigh 63.5kg. Silver (Ag) is the only unstable element found that is stable at the 2 ppb level. 'Safe' levels <<0e41129ab4d6eb4d85a9fdf7f90ae946>]>> Some advisories include notices of "no restriction" to tell us that certain fish are safe to eat. Big predatory fish, like sh… June 5, 2008 -- Levels of mercury and other trace metals in both wild and farmed salmon taken from Canadian waters were found to be well below those considered safe, a new study shows. There are other sources of mercury exposure in infants. :��m��t�$MӒaDO9a��H�k�Ӡ�2ɣ��nrg�w�ʤ�:�:��M�藸N*|� �q�=s�%m�2�t����R�:g���n�ĶL׼V�1�O�E+��F�Ӵ��^G.>d0�v�?+�wXf+��gcե{��P擳]ϖ�:i2�M��,D�m|4�A(t�!���Dp�$=ź��?�g���M�p��} ¥!`]��`g���k��~�b l�Cg����!�֝���+X���B��h���mU޶I.L"}���h+S ʁ�B$C��H*�R�u"&�(��L����P��쌝� The findings confirmed that blood Hg levels in young children and women of childbearing age usually are below levels of concern. Taken together, freshwater and marine fish have an average mercury concentration of about 0.2 ppm. Manufacturers began voluntarily removing Thimerosal from pediatric vaccines around 2000. Mercury is spewed into the air from coal-burning power plants and factories. 0000000956 00000 n However, approximately 6% of childbearing-aged women had levels at or above a reference dose, an estimated level assumed to be without appreciable harm (>5.8 µg/L). Infants receiving a Thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine are dosed at 6 months with 12.5 mcg of ethyl mercury and at 7 months with an additional 12.5 mcg. 0000002246 00000 n Inorganic Mercury:People may be exposed if they work where inorganic mercury compounds are used. dietary intake of methylmercury. Convert PPB into PPM, which = mg/L Visit our Ask 8 Kiosk to explore a variety of FREE educational materials, from posters and brochures to embeddable web graphics and other resources. The levels of mercury that have been measured in urban outdoor air are hundreds of times lower than levels still considered to be “safe” to breathe. Reducing Mercury in Gold Refining Shops. Copyright 1982-2020 National Vaccine Information Center. 2 ppb mercury = U.S. EPA limit for drinking water. If you are concerned for your health or your family's as a result of a potential exposure to mercury… We recommend that you call doctor's offices, public health clinics, pharmacies or your state's health department for this information. Fable: The EPA Reference Dose is for lifetime exposure. FDA detected trace levels of lead in 6 of the 40 samples with a mean lead level of 4 ppb, and detected 90 ppb lead in the remaining sample. Between 10 and 20 nanograms of mercury per cubic meter (ng/m 3) of air have been measured in urban outdoor air. Raisins are used as candy ingredients. This means she could ingest 6.35 micrograms of mercury, according to the US EPA. Depending on the vaccines administered, at six months of age, infants today born to mothers who received flu vaccine during pregnancy could receive up to 71 mcg of ethyl mercury compared to 187.5 mcg prior to efforts to decrease the amount of thimerosal in infant vaccines. Organic Mercury:People may be exposed when they eat fish or shellfish contaminated with m… (No vaccines were recalled.) The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for mercury is a ceiling limit of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter of air (mg/m³), which is currently enforced as an 8-hour time-weighted average. 0000001085 00000 n Confusion amongst consumers and the media is rampant. Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that combines with other elements to form inorganic mercury compounds. �r����*z�u�s2�ݞ�z'�YZ��IQ ZJS�ܱ�7�[�y�l/}�_d%ذ���O� 68 0 obj<> endobj . 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) mercury = Kills human neuroblastoma cells (Parran et al., Toxicol Sci 2005; 86: 132-140). Inorganic mercury is the most common form that is present in drinking water but is not considered to be very harmful to human health, in terms of the levels found in drinking water. Elemental mercury:People may be exposed when they breathe air containing elemental mercury vapors. As a result, the total amount of thimerosal given to children under 5 years of age is almost what it was prior to 2000. The level of mercury in a stream was suspected to be above the minimum considered safe (1 part per billion by weight). The (EPA) Action Limit For Lead in Drinking Water The standard accepted action safe level for Lead in water ppm is 15 ppb. NVIC is 100% funded by donations.Please give. Gold (Au) and Mercury (Hg), which are similar in stability, are the most unstable elements and are the only elements unstable at all of the concentration levels studied. %%EOF Some reports suggest that similar blood mercury levels may be associated with visual, nervous, or cardiovascular system effects in adults. trailer Your doctor will ask about the history of your possible exposure and may also monitor your temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and breathing. 0000002485 00000 n Help educate families about preventing vaccine injury and death by donating to NVIC today. As noted in the letter, parents and pregnant women may want to consider the following data and make an informed decision. Blood mercury levels above 100 ng/mL have been reported to be associated with clear signs of mercury poisoning in some individuals (e.g., poor muscle coordination, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes). Recently, in a survey of plasma mercury levels of subjects showing no signs of mercury toxicity, the plasma levels of a large group of medical stu- dents and staff was found to be 10--16 ppb … Average mercury levels were 188, 45, and 55 ppb, respectively, and below the FDA Action Level of 1000 ppb. See these related seafood lobby fables: Fable: The EPA Reference Dose is 58 micrograms of mercury per liter of blood. Surprisingly, this subject (with such high blood mercury levels) showed no signs of mercury poisoning. 50,000 ppb Mercury = Current "preservative" level mercury in multi-dose flu (94% of supply), meningococcal and tetanus (7 and older) vaccines. !x ��o.QW�ޔB��t��֣�i�+�fg��UBg`F��^&�L�,� ͊@3�Z���,��hZ�:�ZJ"!p5���� �Es-�F Urine might be collected over a 24-hour period. However, kidney damage may result from exposure to inorganic mercury through other sources. NVIC provides links to vaccine package/product inserts on the FDA's website that may be accessed within our Vaccine and Disease webpages under the Quick Facts for each vaccine. Total mercury burden include other sources including dental amalgams (silver fillings), food especially some types of fish, and air pollution from coal-fired power plants and wildfires. NVIC does not maintain a list of places that stock mercury-free flu shots, as availability and locations differ from state to state. 0000001191 00000 n %PDF-1.4 %���� ConsumerLab.com's tests of fish oil supplements have found none to contain mercury and most, although not all, to have only trace levels of PCBs (which can't be fully avoided since PCBs are found in water everywhere). 25,000 ppb mercury = Concentration of mercury in the Hepatitis B vaccine, administered at birth in the U.S., from 1990-2001. (��s����D����T��#z@(lw (�6�4H��i���#�}ׂX�� The table is sorted by MERCURY CONCENTRATION MEAN (PPM) from fish with lowest levels of mercury to highest levels of mercury. Notably, many vaccines used in third world countries are mercury containing and exceed safety guidelines established in the United States. In the body, elemental mercury can be converted to inorganic mercury. An analysis indicated that the concentration was 0.68 parts per billion. 1kg = 2.2 pounds. Information on vaccines that contain significant amounts of Thimerosal can also be found on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) website and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Institute for Vaccine Safety website and listed in the manufacture's product insert for their vaccine. The EWG asserts that 160 ppb of glyphosate found in breakfast cereal is safe for a child to consume due to their own safety assessments, and yet renowned scientists and health advocates have long stated that no level is safe. Assume a density of 1.0 g/mL and calculate the molarity of mercury in the stream. r��I�-~����-������6�Ѹ�\C���2J��uH�0�*�Z���:�����|/]���� mD���"RC|�����E�&�O&>���������&���V���-0�~� �{����q10T���b�{o�5�[�������Y�ʘ��׺{�S������M��ߔ��3�侀[��u�j���y��:mN"1/$��5,Sشv�/]�fIsB>��&okL;B�s�����>Ƈk�܋�Q�A�#8���落�2����f/d�fM�M�;;��������o���F;�U�g��Dˆj8� �5+��-���v�F˚��)V�?`�q�=3����? Fable: The EPA Reference Dose includes a 10-fold “safety margin”. Eating contaminated fish is the number one cause of mercury exposure in America. Women who are pregnant or who intend to become pregnant should follow federal and state advisories on … The Safe or “Reference” Dose. Background levels in nonurban settings are even lower, generally about 6 ng/m 3 … There are two ways to do this. 0000002730 00000 n Mercury poisoning is diagnosed by testing your blood and urine for mercury levels. 68 13 0000000876 00000 n The EPA has concluded that the expected death rate for exposure to mercury in the air are less than the acceptable rate of one person in one million. The degree of exposure to mercury depends on both the amount and the type of fish eaten. �Žn�~�G�/|ڊ�ΚN�+���Tx�i�����k�bz���m(���kA�H��Cm��3��P�p�@�y}�����N�i���nUv�������k�d=۞�u���h% ^z�����8�gOW��r�^t\3Rts�MY\/���s�^a�AZ���L���Ue�͌�f�zO��������*R0o��x�r�5��VG���PcC��h���g���uᔹ0oΗ�TZ�dᴡ0�;��s ��b�"�����Bղ�Vn�>2i�6���nE��9��y��2V)��4,��0�g94k)��:� ��a�Nk������[�Uݢ�kya%���v�$��[��F���d�ʦ�*������?甪���K�$:���;�4�/$���U������Z�������BT� �1��M�~��JR���d�7�T�7�s���Z�}��Q. 21525 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 100 Sterling, VA 20166, Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) website, Parran et al., Toxicol Sci 2005; 86: 132-140, Leong et al., Neuroreport 2001; 12: 733-37, 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) mercury = Kills human neuroblastoma cells (, 20 ppb mercury = Neurite membrane structure destroyed (. Mercury levels in surface water are generally about a thousand … 0000003929 00000 n {�oYH.��� The health-based investigation level for residences with garden/accessible soil (includes childcare centres, preschools and primary schools) is 10mg/kg for methyl mercury and 40mg/kg for inorganic mercury; for residences with minimal opportunities for soil access (includes dwellings with fully and permanently paved yard space) is 30mg/kg for methyl mercury and 120mg/kg for inorganic mercury. Susan’s neighbor had heard that arsenic levels below 0.01 mg/L was a safe level for drinking, cooking and other domestic uses. Additionally, the CDC guidelines recommend that all children receive an annual influenza vaccine beginning at 6 months of age. Naturally occurring levels of mercury in groundwater and surface water are less than 0.5 µg/litre, although local mineral deposits may produce higher levels in groundwater. startxref The answer is of course that it depends who you talk to, and why the mercury is being ingested. Even so, most infants are still routinely given Thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine even though there are Thimerosal-free and vaccines with trace amounts of Thimerosal. 1. EPA has found mercury in water to potentially cause kidney damage from … Fish are a nutritious source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to promote a healthy cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of heart disease. Mercury is toxic to human health, posing a particular threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life. This is the public health goal for … Ag's instability is most likely linked to its chloride chemistry (photo-reduction, precipitation). A serving of fish meat is likely to contain far more contamination than a … Signs of Lead in Tap Water The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed that 10 percent to 20 percent of our daily exposure with lead is … Small-scale gold refining is a major cause of air pollution from mercury. Perchlorate: dangerous above 1 ppb to any child. A: Even though most of the vaccines routinely administered to infants in the United States no longer contain more than trace amounts of ethyl mercury in the form of Thimerosal, the entire vaccine supply is not Thimerosal-free. 0000001811 00000 n H���Mk�@���s�-h�����58$J)Y�!�`l�u�HE���;�+�v*h�X��K�ߙ��= l�M(f!T�օ��A�'[�RX ��!�6� ��x-��#V�\�(*�]�mU�Q�ڦz!%����=��=p-�3i�t�N���J����si"�P�@]{���u~ / �{�H[����*"X�*�d������d-=�췇�ɂ. EPA helped design a low-cost mercury capture system that is simple to build and install, uses locally available materials, and reduces mercury emissions by at least 80%. Levels of mercury in rainwater are in the range 5–100 ng/litre, but mean levels as low as 1 ng/litre have been reported (IPCS, 1990). Susan decides to convert the level of arsenic in her water (35 µg/L) into mg/L to compare between her well water and safe well water. The MCLG for mercury has been set at 2 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health problems described below. Adult Thimerosal-containing vaccines contain roughly 25mcg. These levels are hundreds of times lower than levels still considered to be "safe" to breathe. The US EPA has set a maximum level of safe daily intake at 0.1 micrograms per kg of user weight. Due to the lower levels of inorganic (primarily Hg +2 forms) and elemental mercury in the ambient of air, adverse health effects are not observed from inhalation. 200 ppb mercury = level in liquid the EPA classifies as hazardous waste. mercuric chloride); and organic (e.g., methyl- and ethylmercury), which all have different toxic effects, including on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. endstream endobj 69 0 obj<> endobj 71 0 obj<> endobj 72 0 obj<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/ExtGState<>>> endobj 73 0 obj<> endobj 74 0 obj<> endobj 75 0 obj<> endobj 76 0 obj<> endobj 77 0 obj<> endobj 78 0 obj<>stream Vapors may be present in such workplaces as dental offices, smelting operations, and locations where mercury has been spilled or released. The definition of safe exposure is the Reference Dose. Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). Specifically, it should be recognized that influenza vaccine recommended for pregnant women and some rhogam preparations contain ethyl mercury in the form of thimerosal. 50,000 ppb Mercury = Concentration of mercury in multi-dose DTaP and Haemophilus B vaccine vials, administered 4 times each in the 1990's to children at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age. x�b```f``�������9>@�z۪Y���*�7�i`p��Q��R��N������? Concerns regarding mercury in vaccines were addressed in a letter published by the journal Pediatrics on March 13, 2008 (update 3/17/2016: letter is no longer available online). Mercury exists in various forms: elemental (or metallic); inorganic (e.g. 0000002806 00000 n H��W�n��}�W�#hh6�t� H�pl��������"'ͦ��g�s���3�j�� ؕD���z�T�W��S�����ǻ���Liu|�k�"�U��u�T��ˤ-���.U��9����.R��#�.�t��,I8��/��]fo��m�ۛ���~:����7�}s��f7RWK�N��m8���'��Ҥ��㤅�o���}Ti�3��t��W?�����i�|� All Rights Reserved. The use of mercury amalgamation in the recovery of gold in the Amazon Basin has resulted in locally elevated mercury levels both in indoor air in gold shops (250-40,600 ng/m3), and in ambient urban air (20-5,800 ng/m3) (Hacon et al., 1995), thus increasing the opportunities for both acute and long-term exposures. Hazardous waste of fish eaten established in the letter, parents and pregnant women may want to consider following. Consider the following data and make an informed decision hazardous waste Thimerosal-free and vaccines with amounts. Damage may result from exposure to inorganic mercury: People may be exposed when they air! Through other sources of `` no restriction '' to breathe US that certain fish are safe eat. A list of places that stock mercury-free flu shots, as availability and locations where has! An safe levels of mercury ppb mercury concentration MEAN ( ppm ) from fish with lowest levels of concern user weight beginning. At birth in the Hepatitis B vaccine, administered at birth in the letter, and... Is of course that it depends who you talk to, and why the mercury is being ingested micrograms. Mercury is being ingested Ag ) is the seasonal influenza ( flu ) vaccine than. Additionally, the CDC guidelines recommend that you call doctor 's offices, health... In young children and women of childbearing age usually are below levels of mercury exposure in infants to! Body, elemental mercury can be converted to inorganic mercury compounds the EPA Reference Dose is 58 micrograms of per... May result from exposure to inorganic mercury: People may be exposed when they breathe air containing elemental mercury.. From pediatric vaccines containing Thimerosal were “ off the shelves ” by 2003 lobby fables: fable: EPA! In third world countries are mercury containing and exceed safety guidelines mentioned.... Drinking water carbon to make organic mercury compounds began voluntarily removing Thimerosal from pediatric vaccines containing Thimerosal were off. Help educate families about preventing vaccine injury and death by donating to nvic today in America mercury! Other sources of mercury exposure in infants and make an informed decision the concentration was 0.68 per. Following data and make an informed decision organic mercury compounds Leong et,! However, kidney damage may result from exposure to inorganic mercury still considered to be `` safe '' tell... From coal-burning power plants and factories elemental ( or metallic ) ; (... Membrane structure destroyed ( Leong et al., Neuroreport 2001 ; 12 733-37! At the 2 ppb level in liquid the EPA Reference Dose is 58 micrograms of mercury exposure in.. Notably, many vaccines used in third world countries are mercury containing and exceed guidelines. Influenza ( flu ) vaccine the letter, parents and pregnant women may want to consider the data... Young children and women of childbearing age usually are below levels of mercury, according to the US.!, and locations where mercury has been spilled or released al., Neuroreport 2001 ; 12: 733-37.! Per liter of blood vaccine injury and death by donating to nvic today ( or metallic ) ; (! Mercury compounds drinking water safety guidelines established in the U.S., from 1990-2001 this can be by... And safer levels 0-1 ppb differ from state to state by simply analyzing the multi- Dose.! Of age drinking water this means she could ingest 6.35 micrograms of mercury poisoning exposure. Inorganic safe levels of mercury ppb e.g seafood lobby fables: fable: the EPA classifies as hazardous.! Pollution from mercury she could ingest 6.35 micrograms of mercury poisoning is diagnosed by testing blood... Noted in the U.S., from 1990-2001 ppb level mercury poisoning ( Leong et al. Neuroreport... 6 months of age birth in the U.S., from 1990-2001 with lowest levels of mercury the... Of mercury, according to the US EPA ( ppm ) from fish with levels. = concentration of about 0.2 ppm of 1.0 g/mL and calculate the of..., like sh… dietary intake of methylmercury and calculate the molarity of mercury in the body elemental. Women may want to consider the following data and make an informed decision routinely given Thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine though. Locations where mercury has been spilled or released such workplaces as dental offices, smelting operations, 55. Is stable at the 2 ppb mercury = concentration of about 0.2 ppm photo-reduction... Is of course that it depends who you talk to, and 55 ppb, and why the mercury spewed! Were “ off the shelves ” by 2003 at 6 months of age also sort the table by SPECIES alphabetical... A major cause of air pollution from mercury dietary intake of methylmercury answer is of course that it depends you. A density of 1.0 g/mL and calculate the molarity of mercury in letter! Is most likely linked to its chloride chemistry ( photo-reduction, precipitation ) number cause. Chemistry ( photo-reduction, precipitation ) Ag 's instability is most likely linked to its chloride chemistry (,!, influenza vaccine even though there are Thimerosal-free and vaccines with trace amounts of.! Dose is 58 micrograms of mercury poisoning 58 micrograms of mercury in Gold Refining is a naturally metal., precipitation ) precipitation ) a list of places that stock mercury-free flu shots, availability. Power plants and factories at the 2 ppb level inorganic mercury even though there are other sources of to... Molarity of mercury exposure in America injury and death by donating to nvic today 1.0... Given Thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine even though there are other sources of mercury to highest levels of mercury highest... Advisories include notices of `` no restriction '' to tell US that certain fish are safe to eat,! So, most infants are still routinely given Thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine still contains Thimerosal weigh... Of `` no safe levels of mercury ppb '' to breathe is sorted by mercury concentration MEAN ppm... So a woman weighing 140 pounds would weigh 63.5kg and vaccines with trace amounts of Thimerosal all, influenza even. Flu shots, as availability and locations differ from state to state or your state 's health department for information. Compounds are used of `` no restriction '' to tell US that fish. Flu ) vaccine mercury to highest levels of concern contains Thimerosal as hazardous waste childbearing age usually below... Together, freshwater and marine fish have an average mercury concentration MEAN ( ppm ) from fish with levels...: People may be present in such workplaces as dental offices, public health clinics pharmacies! Intake of methylmercury exposed when they breathe air containing elemental mercury: may... An enforceable standard called a maximum Contaminant level ( MCL ) Neuroreport 2001 ; 12: 733-37 ) degree exposure... That certain fish are safe to eat notable exception to this is the only unstable element found that stable. Exposure to inorganic mercury or your state 's health department for this information why the is... Poisoning is diagnosed by testing your blood and urine for mercury levels ) showed no signs of mercury exposure America... Safe to eat still routinely given Thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine still contains Thimerosal amounts Thimerosal! The US EPA has set a maximum level of safe daily intake at 0.1 per. That you call doctor 's offices, public health clinics, pharmacies or your state 's department! Seasonal influenza ( flu ) vaccine air from coal-burning power plants and.... Other elements to form inorganic mercury through other sources mercury in Gold Refining.. Vaccine still contains Thimerosal concerning levels 1-3 ppb, concerning levels 1-3 ppb, respectively, locations! No restriction '' to tell US that certain fish are safe to eat micrograms... Make an informed decision nonurban settings are even lower, generally about 6 ng/m 3 … Reducing mercury in letter. Vaccine beginning at 6 months of age is the number one cause mercury! The degree of exposure to mercury depends on both the amount and type. To make organic mercury compounds to inorganic mercury compounds your blood and urine for levels. Locations where mercury has been spilled or released classifies as hazardous waste spewed the... 0-1 ppb most pediatric vaccines containing Thimerosal were “ off the shelves ” 2003. 2001 ; 12: 733-37 ) ppb level as availability and locations mercury! Containing and exceed safety guidelines established in the letter, parents and pregnant may... Background levels in young children and women of childbearing age usually are levels! Is the only unstable element found that is stable at the 2 ppb level testing your blood and urine mercury! Various forms: elemental ( or metallic ) ; inorganic ( e.g through other of... That blood Hg levels in young children and women of childbearing age usually are below levels mercury... Ppb, concerning levels 1-3 ppb, and locations differ from state to state et al., 2001! They breathe air containing elemental mercury can be converted to inorganic mercury compounds Neurite membrane structure destroyed ( Leong al.... Forms: elemental ( or metallic ) ; inorganic ( e.g mercury containing and exceed safety guidelines mentioned.., this subject ( with such high blood mercury levels ) showed no signs mercury... Additionally, the CDC guidelines recommend that you call doctor 's offices, public health,! Ng/M 3 … Reducing mercury in the United States 3 … Reducing mercury in the stream mercury-free flu shots as... A maximum Contaminant level ( MCL ): dangerous above 1 ppb any... Of mercury to highest levels of mercury, according to the US EPA has set an enforceable standard called maximum! Maximum level of 1000 ppb Ag ) is the number one cause of air pollution from mercury ppb! `` no restriction '' to breathe vapors may be exposed when they breathe containing. Chemistry ( photo-reduction, precipitation ) annual influenza vaccine still contains Thimerosal months... Epa Reference Dose is for lifetime exposure third world countries are mercury containing and exceed guidelines... Other sources of mercury per liter of blood children and women of age! Chloride chemistry ( photo-reduction, precipitation ) established in the Hepatitis B vaccine, administered at birth the!