micromercurialism

1 definition found

micromercurialism - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  micromercurialism \micromercurialism\ n. [micro + mercurialism.
     Coined by the chemist A. Stock in 1926. See mercurialism.]
     (1926)
     A form of mercury poisoning resulting from long term exposure
     to low doses of mercury. The syndrome of micromercurialism
     involves complex symptoms of stress, fatigue, memory loss,
     fine tremors, muscular and reflex insufficiency and low blood
     pressure, caused by accumulation of mercury in the system. A
     condition of hyperthermia is accompanied by a series of
     functional changes under the effects of mercury. The combined
     simultaneous effect of toxic action, temperature and galvanic
     response infers a cycle of disintegration and change. --Work
     With Mercury (1972)
  
     Note: As proposed by Stock, the syndrome was considered as
           the union of pathological changes in human body caused
           by means of low concentrations (as low as 0.01 mg per
           cubic meter) of mercury vapor over long exposure times
           (up to 10 years).
           [PJC]