Mercury is an extremely poisonous metal and can lead to a range of health issues in its victims, from damage to the brain and nervous system, lung, kidney and environmental problems, as well as environmental pollution.
Mercury poisoning symptoms tend to surface gradually and can quickly escalate into something serious, including tremors, insomnia, memory problems and neuromuscular changes.
What is mercury?
Mercury (Hg) is a silvery metal that occurs naturally in the environment in various chemical forms. Though not easily absorbable by humans, mercury releases into the environment from both natural and human-made sources and poses serious health hazards when released at high concentrations into our environment. High exposure levels to mercury have been linked with heart disease, kidney damage and nerve problems while lower exposure may have adverse affects on immune system health, leading to symptoms ranging from rashes to dementia.
Elemental mercury can be found worldwide as natural deposits of cinnabar, vermilion or minerals such as mercurine chloride and mercuric sulfide. Industrial processes also release mercury into the environment through coal-burning power plants that release mercury gasses into the atmosphere; mercury travels long distances before landing on lakes and rivers far from its original source.
Consuming small doses of elemental mercury typically does not result in toxic side-effects; however, taking in larger quantities may result in digestive disorders, tremors, depression and breathing in mercury vapor can be particularly hazardous; its molecules rapidly enter the brain and nervous system and may lead to memory loss, tremors, irritability or personality changes.
Inorganic mercury can be found in many household devices and products including thermometers, barometers, manometers and sphygmomanometers, float valves and relays. It also is widely used in amalgam for dental restoration as well as fluorescent lamps where it acts as a phosphorescent light reflector. Most exposure occurs through industrial work; however it may also happen at home and even schools.
Methylmercury is produced when bacteria in water change elemental mercury into methylmercury, which then accumulates in algae eaten by fish and is consumed by humans as food. Fish containing high levels of methylmercury are an especially major source of mercury exposure for people. High exposure levels may result in fatigue, tremors, slurred speech, apathy memory loss depression – with high doses even leading to death! To treat an exposure of organic mercury exposure use medicines known as chelators that absorb it out of their system before moving it out of harm’s way towards kidneys and brains for removal by these medicines which remove it from their bodies so as not harm’s way while organic mercury treatment involves clearing away from organs like kidneys and brains using medicines called chelators which help remove mercury from our bodies while moving it out of our bodies so as not harm’s way!
How does mercury get into your body?
Mercury exists in various forms and human exposure can come through various methods. Most methylmercury exposure occurs by eating fish containing high concentrations. Methylmercury can also be found in dental amalgam, certain vaccinations (like flu and hepatitis B vaccines), some skin lightening creams and traditional remedies. Exposure to elemental mercury may occur when products containing it break, especially in poorly ventilated environments where mercury vapors are released. Skin contact with mercury compounds can result in rashes or irritation; however, only minimal absorption occurs via this route. Inhaling large volumes of elemental mercury vapor may result in serious lung damage and kidney issues; exposure can even prove fatal for some individuals.
Inorganic mercury, typically in metallic form, can be consumed through drinking water containing high concentrations. Ingestion can cause health issues ranging from rashes, diarrhea and stomach upset to brain damage and paralysis in severe cases. Food contaminated with mercury also has similar adverse reactions; those working at factories that process mercury or living near mines that release it into the environment are particularly at risk of inhaling it and its poisonous effects.
People can be exposed to methylmercury through products containing it such as thermometers, batteries and dental fillings containing it. Children, pregnant women and elderly are particularly at risk from exposure due to still developing nervous systems – so consuming fish high in mercury levels should be avoided by these groups as much as possible.
People can become exposed to mercury through consumption of preservatives like thimerosal found in vaccines. Inorganic mercury may also be released into the atmosphere from coal-burning power plants and mining operations, as well as natural waters where mines extract gold, silver, or other metals; it may even ingested via seafood such as tuna and shellfish; it’s essential that state and national fish consumption advisories be known in each region.
What are the symptoms of mercury poisoning?
Mercury poisoning symptoms depend on both the type and severity of exposure. Serious effects include nervous system dysfunction that may even lead to death; exposure to high levels can also harm kidneys, lungs and immune systems. Mercury is an extremely toxic heavy metal found naturally throughout nature as well as released through industrial accidents or through products containing mercury like broken thermometers leaking mercury into the environment.
Mercury poisoning occurs when someone inhales, consumes, or touches mercury and experiences symptoms such as burning sensation in their mouth and throat, trembling, loss of coordination, irritability and memory issues. Muscle weakness and vision impairment may also result from mercury exposure – in severe cases leading to brain damage, heart failure or renal damage.
Inorganic mercury poisoning occurs from ingestion of mercuric chloride solutions or eating fish contaminated with mercury. Symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhea. Furthermore, mercury-containing compounds can come into direct skin contact with skin which leads to an acrodynia rash characterized by painful scaling which often accompanies feverish symptoms.
Organic mercury poisoning occurs when exposed to methylmercury compounds. Although most cases involve industrial exposure, cases have also been reported among individuals using mercury-containing teething powders and ointments to treat toothaches or treat medical conditions; pregnant or breast feeding women consuming mercury-contaminated seafood also risk organic mercury poisoning.
Children and unborn babies are particularly prone to mercury poisoning due to immature nervous systems that can be more easily affected by large doses than adults. Therefore, pregnant women should refrain from eating seafood containing mercury during their gestation period and stop breastfeeding after they discover they are pregnant in order to minimize transmission of mercury to their foetus from mother to fetus.
If you suspect being exposed to mercury, healthcare professionals will examine your history of exposure and look for any symptoms of poisoning. They may recommend that chelation therapy be completed either in hospital or at home to remove the mercury from your body and help get rid of its traces.
What can you do to prevent mercury poisoning?
Mercury poisoning can occur through various means. One such means is through eating seafood high in methylmercury – this occurs when elemental mercury finds its way into water sources where small fish consume it before larger fish consume their prey, thus continuing the cycle. Some types of fish with high methylmercury content include tuna, swordfish and shark. Breathing mercury vapor may also cause mercury poisoning if your workplace uses fluorescent or low energy light bulbs, broken thermometers or amalgam dental fillings – and so forth.
Eating a variety of fish and shellfish can reduce your risk for mercury poisoning. Shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon and pollock are some of the best choices; pregnant women should avoid shark, swordfish and king mackerel due to high mercury content; additionally pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit themselves to 12 ounces of seafood per week.
Immediately notify your physician if you suspect mercury poisoning in yourself or a loved one. A blood and urine test can measure recent mercury exposure; for instance, an elevated mercury blood test indicates eating seafood high in mercury; urine testing may detect methylmercury found in seafood as well. To pinpoint which form of mercury exposure has occurred in you or someone you know, both tests should be completed at once.
Once your body accumulates an excessive amount of inorganic mercury, it can quickly lead to kidney damage and failure. Treatment options for acute episodes may include dimercaprol, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid and 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulphonate which serve as chelation agents to remove mercury from tissues.
Chronic brain damage from organic mercury poisoning is more difficult to treat. Many victims never fully recover, though there has been some success treating this type of mercury exposure through chelation therapy. Mahajan PV, et al. Heavy Metal Intoxication. In: Kliegman RM, St Geme JW, Blum NJ Shah SS Tasker RC Wilson KM’s Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics 21st Ed Philadelphia PA Elsevier 2020 Chapter 738.