How can people be exposed to mercury?
Mercury in the form of methylmercury is of greatest concern, and the common route of exposure is ingestion. Methyl mercury is of particular concern because it can build up in certain fish to much higher levels and these fish that live in contaminated waters may then be eaten by people. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations prohibit the sale of commercial fish that are found to have high levels of methylmercury. Exposure may also result from breathing in air contaminated with mercury vapors. If handled directly, mercury can also be absorbed through the skin.
