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methylmercury

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noun meth·yl·mer·cury \ ˌme-thəl-ˈmər-kyə-rē , -ˈmər-k(ə-)rē \

Definition of methylmercury

:any of various toxic compounds of mercury containing the complex CH3Hg− that often occur as pollutants which accumulate in living organisms (such as fish) especially in higher levels of a food chain

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First Known Use of methylmercury

1915

Medical Dictionary

methylmercury

noun meth·yl·mer·cury \ ˌmeth-əl-ˈmər-kyə-rē, British also ˌmē-ˌthīl- \

medical Definition of methylmercury

plural methylmercuries
:any of various toxic compounds of mercury containing the complex CH3Hg− that often occur as pollutants formed as industrial by-products or pesticide residues, tend to accumulate in living organisms (as fish) especially in higher levels of a food chain, are rapidly and easily absorbed through the human intestinal wall, and cause neurological dysfunction in humans — see minamata disease

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