<unk>  is extremely toxic and dangerous to handle. As early as 1865, two workers in the laboratory of Frankland died after exhibiting progressive neurological symptoms following accidental exposure to the compound. Absorption of doses as low as 0.1 mL can result in severe mercury poisoning. The risks are enhanced because of the compound's high vapor pressure. Permeation tests showed that several types of disposable latex or polyvinyl chloride gloves (typically, about 0.1 mm thick), commonly used in most laboratories and clinical settings, had high and maximal rates of permeation by<unk>  within 15 seconds. The American Occupational Safety and Health Administration advises handling<unk>  with highly resistant laminated gloves with an additional pair of abrasion-resistant gloves worn over the laminate pair, and also recommends using a face shield and working in a fume hood.<unk>  is metabolized after several days to methylmercury. Methylmercury crosses the blood–brain barrier easily, probably owing to formation of a complex with cysteine. It is not quickly eliminated from the organism, and therefore has a tendency to bioaccumulate. The symptoms of poisoning may be delayed by months, resulting in cases in which a diagnosis is ultimately discovered, but only at the point in which it is too late or almost too late for an effective treatment regimen to be successful.<unk> 's toxicity was highlighted with the death of Karen Wetterhahn, a professor of chemistry at Dartmouth College, who died in 1997 months after spilling only a few drops onto her gloves. This accident is a common toxicology case-study and directly resulted in improved safety procedures for chemical-protection clothing and fume hood use.
Dimethylmercury
Ethylmercury
Mercury
Vinyl chloride
Metaldehyde
Lewis lead
Hydrogen fluoride
Heptachlor