Comparison of Mercury Exposures
| |
Methyl Mercury
|
Thimerosal
(ethyl mercury salicylate)
|
| Exposure |
contaminated fish |
a preservative in some vaccines and other products |
| Route of exposure |
oral route |
injection (intramuscular) |
| Pattern of exposure |
chronic; primarily dependent on fish consumption |
periodic* |
| Likelihood of continual exposure |
only with fish-rich diet |
not likely |
*limited to vaccination or exposure to other thimerosal-containing products