Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was reviewed?
The authors reviewed the molecular mechanisms of mercury toxicity and linked them to sources, exposure, health effects, and controls. They tracked elemental, inorganic, and organic species. The authors also described emissions, transport, deposition, and bioaccumulation. They connected kinetics to tissue injury and aligned data with regulatory limits. They proposed mitigation paths for policy and practice.
Who was reviewed?
The authors pulled evidence from toxicology, epidemiology, environmental science, and regulation. They integrated more than two hundred sources and used global inventories for emissions and deposition. Clinical datasets from maternal hair, blood, and autopsy findings were used. They covered in vitro and in vivo experiments on neurons and glia. They examined selenium and diet interactions as well.
Most important findings
Speciation drives risk. Methylmercury crosses the placenta and the blood–brain barrier. It accumulates in brain, liver, and kidneys. Its human half-life averages about seventy days. It biomagnifies in food webs and peaks in predatory fish. Hair, blood, and urine give different exposure answers. Hair reflects longer intake. Blood tracks recent intake. Urine tracks inorganic exposure. Mercury binds thiol and selenol groups. It blocks key enzymes and transporters and triggers oxidative stress and mitochondrial failure. It disrupts calcium and glutamate homeostasis and also injures DNA and weakens repair. These actions drive neuro, renal, immune, and reproductive harm. Sources remain broad and persistent. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining contributes about thirty-eight percent of air emissions. Coal power adds about nineteen percent. East and Southeast Asia contribute about thirty-nine percent of global air emissions.
These shares influence trade and supply chains. Limits and guidance frame action. The EPA sets a drinking water limit of two parts per billion for total mercury. The reference dose for methylmercury equals 0.1 microgram per kilogram per day. The inhalation reference concentration for elemental mercury equals 0.3 microgram per cubic meter. Many fish programs use methylmercury limits from 0.2 to 1 milligram per kilogram. Soil guidance for total mercury often spans 0.07 to 0.3 milligram per kilogram. The Minamata Convention targets primary mining, products, processes, and wastes. It pushes controls across the mercury life cycle. Selenium may buffer neurotoxicity in some contexts. Dose, form, and co-exposures still matter. Programs should not offer blanket protection claims from diet alone.
Key implications
HTMC should certify by species and matrix, not totals alone. The program should require speciation for foods, supplements, cosmetics, and process inputs. GC-ICP-MS or HPLC-ICP-MS fits routine needs. The program should define matrix-specific plans for water, air, fish, and soil. It should align product limits with EPA guidance and Minamata goals, set batch acceptance criteria for seafood by methylmercury content. It should publish clear consumer advice on high-trophic fish. In addition, it should adopt tighter controls for artisanal gold inputs and recycled streams. It should treat selenium as context data and not a waiver. It should include hair, blood, or urine only for exposure studies with clear aims. These steps improve clarity, comparability, and protection.
Citation
Wu Y-S, Osman AI, Hosny M, Elgarahy AM, Eltaweil AS, Rooney DW, Chen Z, Rahim NS, Sekar M, Gopinath SCB, Mat Rani NNI, Batumalaie K, Yap P-S. The toxicity of mercury and its chemical compounds: Molecular mechanisms and environmental and human health implications: A comprehensive review. ACS Omega. 2024;9(5):5100-5126. doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c07047
Mercury (Hg) is a neurotoxic heavy metal found in various consumer products and environmental sources, making it a major public health concern. Its regulation is critical to protect vulnerable populations from long-term health effects, such as neurological impairment and cardiovascular disease. The HMTC program ensures that products meet the highest standards for mercury safety.
