Figure 7 –

Schematic representation of accumulation of E⁺Hg forms in the keratin in hair or nails. The MeHg⁺ and EtHg⁺ coordinate with one −S⁻ group, whereas Hg²⁺ coordinates with two −S⁻ groups. The deposition of mercury in hair or nails usually does not change the biological function of the altered protein, and the quantification of Hg in hair is largely used to evaluate the exposure to Hg (Marques et al. 2009; 2011, 2012; Kusanagi et al. 2018)