Toxicological review
The toxic effects of inorganic mercury compounds are seen mainly in the kidney in
both humans and laboratory animals following short- and long-term exposure. In
rats, effects include increased absolute and relative kidney weights, tubular necrosis,
proteinuria and hypoalbuminaemia. In humans, acute oral poisoning results primarily
in haemorrhagic gastritis and colitis; the ultimate damage is to the kidney. The
overall weight of evidence is that mercury(II) chloride has the potential to increase