Phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA): mercury-bearing flexible gymnasium floors in schools--evaluation of hazards and controlled abatement.

Phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA) historically has been used as a catalyst in polyurethane systems. In the 1950s-1970s, PMA was used as a catalyst in the 3M Tartan brand polyurethane flexible floors that were installed commonly in school gymnasiums. Mercury vapor is released into air above the surface of these floors. Sampling mercury in bulk flooring material and mercury vapor in air was conducted in nine Idaho schools in the spring of 2006. These evaluations were conducted in response to concerns by school officials that the floors could contain mercury and could release the mercury vapor into the air, presenting a potential health hazard for students, staff, and visitors. Controlled abatement was conducted in one school where remodeling would impact the mercury-bearing flexible gym floors ( approximately 9,000 ft(2) total). The controlled abatement consisted of containment of the work area with negative air technology; worker protection, including mercury-specific training, use of personal protective equipment, and biological and exposure monitoring; and environmental protection, including proper disposal of mercury-bearing hazardous waste material.

Isolation of mercury resistant bacteria and influence of abiotic factors on bioavailability of mercury -- a case study in Pulicat Lake North of Chennai, South East India.

Pulicat Lake sediments are often severely polluted with mercury compounds and other toxic heavy metals. Several mercury-resistant bacteria were isolated and identified from the sediments and all the isolates exhibited broad spectrum resistance (both organic and inorganic mercuric compounds). Mercury volatilization showed that four of the isolated Bacillus cereus strains were able to reduce water soluble ionic form of mercury into volatile form via the well known enzymatic reduction. The effect of increasing concentration of mercuric chloride and phenyl mercuric acetate in the growth of this mercury reducing strain was also determined. To study the native physico-chemical parameters, which influence the bioavailability of mercury to bacteria in Pulicat Lake ecosystem, a total of 60 water and 30 sediment samples were collected and analyzed for pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, nitrate, nitrite, silicate, phosphate, organic matter and organic carbon. Increased levels of phosphate, nitrite, nitrate, silicate, organic matter and organic carbon during the post monsoon reduce the bioavailability of mercury by forming complexes which may increase the concentration of mercury in the sediments during post monsoon.

Phenylmercuric acetate intoxication in mink.

Mink died following an incidental phenylmercuric acetate (PMA) intoxication. Mortality was restricted to the older animals (31% in the females and 40% in the males). Of all organs the kidneys were most seriously damaged (tubulonephrosis) and contained the highest residual levels of mercury. No lesions were observed in the central nervous system. Twenty-one weeks after exposure mercury residues had declined to normal levels. The half-time of disappearance of mercury was 10 days in skeletal muscle, 22 days in kidneys, 27 days in brain and 36 days in liver. The reproductivity of the surviving mink was not affected by the PMA-intoxication.

The effect of low density polyethylene containers on some hospital-manufactured eyedrop formulations. II. Inhibition of the sorption of phenylmercuric acetate.

The presence of phosphate ions in solutions of phenylmercuric acetate inhibits the sorption of the preservative by low-density polyethylene eyedrop bottles. The extent to which sorption is inhibited depends upon the concentration of phosphate but does not appear to be temperature dependent. Phenylmercuric preservatives react with chloride ion to produce insoluble phenylmercuric chloride and should therefore not be used to preserve eyedrops containing chloride or hydrochloride salts.

[Prevention of occupational and community health problems using Falisan Universal liquid caustic]. / Zur Klärung arbeits- und kommunalhygienischer Probleme beim Einsatz von Falisan-Universal-Flüssigbeize.

Based on tests with Falisan-Universal fluid caustic the authors report on measuring results of laboratory tests and analyses of utilization. The air pollution caused by the active agent phenyl mercury acetate and the formulation remedy dimethylformamide is assessed. Conclusions are made for the caustic's application and for its tests.

Simple and rapid portable chromatographic method for separation and detection of phenylmercuric acetate in seeds and water.

Phenylmercuric acetate can be detected by horse liver acetone powder succinate dehydrogenase inhibition, using a mixture of 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium chloride (INT), sodium succinate, and N-methylphenazonium methosulfate as the chromogenic reagent. The simple cleanup involves extraction of phenylmercuric acetate in chloroform and concentration by evaporation. In the extract, the compounds in seeds or water could be separated and identified by paper chromatography in the field or laboratory at microgram levels with an acetone-water (70 + 30) solvent system.