Vet Hum Toxicol. 1999 Jun; 41(3): 154-6.

An assessment of exposure to mercury and mercuric chloride from handling treated herbarium plants.

Bauer EP, Fuortes LJ.

Health Protection Office and Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

A curator at a university herbarium reported headache, nausea and mucosal irritation after initiating a project to remount plant specimens treated with mercuric chloride. Workplace exposure assessment indicated potential for mercury compound ingestion through hand-to-mouth contact. Blood, hair and urine assays were negative.