[bvw]

Researcher Haley's response says zinc greatly worsens the mercury toxicity. On a thread earlier this week I mentioned a story I heard about the Sudbury CA smelter region, that suggested zinc blocked metal toxicity. Now I am confused.

I do understand that the toxicity of mercury is very dependent on its chemcial compounding. That pure elemental mercury is safe, but that the chlorinated and methylated forms are toxic. Given that the mouth is a chemical plant designed to initiate the formidable chemical processes of digestion, I do wonder how well elemental mercury amalgams survive in the mouth in elemental form.

[FormerLurker]

That pure elemental mercury is safe, but that the chlorinated and methylated forms are toxic.

It is mercury ions that are highly toxic. So compounds of mercury ARE probably more dangerous, as when the compound breaks down, mercury ions become available and cause neuron degeneration as shown in the University of Calgary's video presentation. However, I'd say that elemental mercury could very well cause the same problem, as it is well known that hat makers working with mercury in the past developed what is known as "mad hatter's" disease.

More information can be found below..

Quicksilver

[FormerLurker]

Researcher Haley's response says zinc greatly worsens the mercury toxicity.

Could you point me to that info?