Posted: 6/23/2025 10:48:31 AM EDT
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Nasty stuff. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylmercury Recently watch a video about the scientist who died after getting a couple small drop in her protective glove. How does this stuff penetrate a glove while water can't. How does the mercury affect the body when it's bound up in a molecule? |
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| To your first question, you need to wear the appropriate PPE for a given toxin. Not all gloves are created equal. The answer to your second question about the toxicity, enlightenment is only a click away within the Wiki page you referenced. |
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Grok is the giver of all answers... Dimethylmercury ((CH₃)₂Hg) penetrates gloves due to its chemical properties, which differ significantly from water (H₂O). Here’s a concise explanation of why this happens and how dimethylmercury affects the body: Why Dimethylmercury Penetrates Gloves While Water Cannot Lipophilicity (Fat Solubility): Dimethylmercury is a non-polar, organic molecule with two methyl groups (CH₃) bonded to mercury. This makes it highly lipophilic, meaning it dissolves easily in fats and oils, including the organic polymers of gloves (e.g., latex, nitrile). Water is a polar molecule and does not interact well with the non-polar materials of most gloves, so it cannot penetrate them easily. Molecular Size and Structure: Dimethylmercury is a small, neutral molecule with a low molecular weight (230.66 g/mol), allowing it to diffuse through the microscopic pores or polymer matrices of gloves. Water, despite being smaller (18 g/mol), is highly polar and forms hydrogen bonds, which hinder its ability to pass through non-polar glove materials. Glove Material Compatibility: Most gloves (latex, nitrile, vinyl) are designed to resist water and polar substances but are less effective against organic, non-polar compounds like dimethylmercury. Even specialized gloves (e.g., butyl or Viton) may not fully protect against dimethylmercury, as it can permeate them over time. Studies and safety data (e.g., from the CDC and OSHA) indicate that dimethylmercury can penetrate standard gloves in seconds to minutes, rendering them ineffective. How Dimethylmercury Affects the Body Dimethylmercury is extremely toxic, even when bound in its molecular form. Its effects stem from its ability to enter the body, release mercury, and disrupt biological systems: Absorption and Distribution: Dimethylmercury is readily absorbed through the skin, lungs (if inhaled), or gastrointestinal tract due to its lipophilicity. It passes through cell membranes easily, entering the bloodstream and distributing to organs, especially the brain and nervous system. Once inside the body, dimethylmercury can cross the blood-brain barrier, unlike many other toxins, due to its non-polar nature. Metabolism and Mercury Release: In the body, dimethylmercury is slowly metabolized, primarily in the liver, where it breaks down into methylmercury (CH₃Hg⁺) and other mercury species. Methylmercury is also highly toxic and binds to sulfur-containing proteins (e.g., those with cysteine residues). The mercury atoms, once released, interfere with enzyme function, protein structure, and cellular processes by forming strong bonds with thiol (-SH) groups in proteins. Toxic Effects: Neurotoxicity: Mercury damages neurons, particularly in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, leading to tremors, memory loss, vision/hearing impairment, and motor dysfunction. A famous case is that of chemist Karen Wetterhahn, who died in 1997 after a single exposure to a few drops of dimethylmercury through gloves. Symptoms appeared months later, progressing to coma and death. Systemic Damage: Mercury disrupts cellular metabolism, causing kidney damage, liver dysfunction, and immune system suppression. Delayed Onset: Symptoms may take weeks to months to appear because dimethylmercury is metabolized slowly, but the damage is cumulative and often irreversible. Mechanism of Toxicity: Mercury’s affinity for thiol groups disrupts critical enzymes (e.g., those involved in DNA repair, energy production). It also generates reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative stress and cell death. Unlike inorganic mercury (e.g., HgCl₂), dimethylmercury’s organic nature allows deeper tissue penetration, making it more dangerous. Key Differences in Handling Water: Safe, polar, and easily blocked by gloves or skin. Dimethylmercury: Highly toxic, non-polar, penetrates gloves and skin rapidly. No safe exposure level exists; even microliter quantities are lethal. |
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Originally Posted By motoguzzi: I recall that happening, she thought her gloves would protect her and they didn't or there was a flaw in the gloves? Been a while and I can't remember all the details. Didn't know the gloves were useless. Stuff went right through like it wasn't even there. She was doing cutting edge research. |
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Originally Posted By Orion10182011: Didn't know the gloves were useless. Stuff went right through like it wasn't even there. She was doing cutting edge research. Originally Posted By Orion10182011: Originally Posted By motoguzzi: I recall that happening, she thought her gloves would protect her and they didn't or there was a flaw in the gloves? Been a while and I can't remember all the details. Didn't know the gloves were useless. Stuff went right through like it wasn't even there. She was doing cutting edge research. Her LATEX gloves were useless. Nitrile gloves would have been protective. Back then it wasn't the case but for at least a decade now proper lab PPE has been almost exclusively nitrile gloves, mostly because a significant portion of the population have latex allergies. |
It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt.
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Originally Posted By Karankawa: Dimethyl sulfoxide goes through nitrile gloves pretty quickly. I wouldn’t risk it. DMSO goes through most things but it isn't really very toxic unless you find tasting garlic annoying. |
It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt.