title: ATSDR science panel on the bioavailability of mercury in soils: lessons learned.
abstract: On the basis of discussion and analysis during and following an ATSDR science panel on the bioavailability of mercury in soils, it is apparent that the default assumption of 100% relative bioavailability for mercury-contaminated soils is excessively conservative. However, current knowledge does not allow the development of default assumptions or guidelines for determining relative bioavailability of mercury in soils. Until such default assumptions or guidelines can be developed, site-specific assays of bioavailability, preferably using either animal bioassays or validated in vitro techniques, may provide the best approach for estimating soil-mercury bioavailability.
authors.affiliation: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Canady
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Susten
mesh_terms: D001682:Biological Availability; D004782:Environmental Health; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D008628:Mercury