Table 1. Estimated average daily intake and retention of total mercury and mercury compounds in the general population.
Values given are the estimated average daily intake (µg/day) for adults.
The figures in parentheses represent the estimated amount retained in the body of an adult.
| Sources of exposure |
Elemental mercury vapour |
Inorganic mercury compounds |
Methylmercury |
| Air |
0.030 (0.024) |
0.002 (0.001) |
0.008 (0.0064) |
| Food |
|
|
|
| - Fish |
0 |
0.600 (0.042) |
2.4 (2.3) |
| - Non-fish |
0 |
3.6 (0.25) |
0 |
| Drinking water |
0 |
0.050 (0.0035) |
0 |
| Dental amalgams |
3.8 – 21 (3 – 17) |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
3.9 – 21 (3 – 17) |
4.3 (0.3) |
2.41 (2.31) |
Source: SCHER, 
Preliminary report on the environmental risks and indirect health effects of mercury in dental amalgam (2008), 3. Opinion, p.12
