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Mercury in the body symptoms. Mercury Poisoning: Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention

What are the early signs of mercury poisoning. How does mercury affect the nervous system. Can mercury poisoning cause long-term complications. What is the most common cause of mercury exposure in humans. How can one prevent mercury poisoning.

Understanding Mercury and Its Toxic Effects

Mercury, a naturally occurring heavy metal, poses significant health risks when it accumulates in the human body. This element, liquid at room temperature, can easily vaporize and contaminate the environment. Industrial processes, such as coal burning, release mercury into the atmosphere, where it eventually finds its way into soil, water, and living organisms.

The toxicity of mercury lies in its ability to interfere with various bodily functions, particularly affecting the nervous system. As mercury levels rise in the body, a range of symptoms may appear, varying in severity depending on the level of exposure and the individual’s age.

Forms of Mercury Exposure

  • Methylmercury in seafood
  • Elemental mercury from industrial processes
  • Inorganic mercury compounds in some products

Recognizing the Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning

Mercury poisoning can manifest through a wide array of symptoms, affecting multiple body systems. These symptoms may develop gradually over time with chronic exposure or appear suddenly in cases of acute poisoning.

Neurological Symptoms

How does mercury affect the nervous system? Mercury has a profound impact on neurological function, leading to symptoms such as:

  • Anxiety and nervousness
  • Irritability and mood swings
  • Memory problems
  • Depression
  • Physical tremors
  • Numbness in extremities

Physical Symptoms in Adults

As mercury levels increase, adults may experience more severe physical symptoms:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Metallic taste in the mouth
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Lack of coordination
  • Sensory impairment in hands and face
  • Vision and hearing changes
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Problems with walking or standing

Effects on Children’s Development

Children are particularly vulnerable to mercury poisoning, which can significantly impact their development:

  • Impaired motor skills
  • Cognitive difficulties
  • Language and speech problems
  • Poor hand-eye coordination
  • Lack of physical awareness

Long-Term Complications of Mercury Exposure

Can mercury poisoning cause long-term complications? Yes, prolonged exposure to high levels of mercury can lead to severe, lasting health issues:

Neurological Damage

Mercury can cause permanent neurological damage, particularly in developing children. Long-term effects may include:

  • Intelligence disorders and lowered IQ
  • Slow reflexes
  • Impaired motor skills
  • Paralysis
  • Chronic numbness
  • Persistent memory and concentration issues
  • ADHD-like symptoms

Reproductive Health Issues

Mercury poisoning can significantly impact reproductive health, causing:

  • Reduced sperm count
  • Decreased fertility
  • Fetal deformities
  • Increased risk of miscarriage
  • Low birth weight and growth issues in newborns

Cardiovascular Risks

How does mercury affect heart health? Mercury promotes the accumulation of free radicals in the body, potentially leading to:

  • Increased risk of heart attacks
  • Higher likelihood of coronary heart disease
  • Cellular damage affecting the cardiovascular system

Common Sources of Mercury Exposure

What is the most common cause of mercury exposure in humans? While there are various sources of mercury in our environment, consumption of contaminated seafood remains the primary route of exposure for most people.

Mercury in Seafood

The process of mercury accumulation in seafood involves a concept called biomagnification. Here’s how it works:

  1. Mercury in water bodies transforms into methylmercury
  2. Small sea creatures absorb this methylmercury
  3. Larger fish consume these smaller creatures, accumulating higher levels of mercury
  4. This process continues up the food chain, resulting in highest concentrations in large predatory fish

Other Sources of Mercury Exposure

While seafood is the primary concern, mercury exposure can also occur through:

  • Industrial processes
  • Old thermometers and blood pressure machines
  • Dental amalgams
  • Certain types of old paints

Preventing Mercury Poisoning

How can one prevent mercury poisoning? Prevention primarily involves minimizing exposure to mercury sources:

Dietary Considerations

  • Choose low-mercury seafood options
  • Limit consumption of high-mercury fish species
  • Stay informed about local fish advisories

Environmental Precautions

  • Properly dispose of mercury-containing products
  • Ensure adequate ventilation in areas where mercury vapors may be present
  • Use mercury-free alternatives when possible

Occupational Safety

  • Follow safety protocols in industries where mercury is used
  • Use appropriate personal protective equipment
  • Undergo regular health check-ups if working with mercury

Diagnosis and Treatment of Mercury Poisoning

Diagnosing mercury poisoning typically involves blood, urine, or hair analysis to determine mercury levels. Treatment strategies depend on the severity of poisoning and may include:

Elimination of Mercury Exposure

The first step in treatment is to identify and remove the source of mercury exposure. This may involve dietary changes, workplace modifications, or environmental remediation.

Chelation Therapy

In severe cases, chelation therapy may be necessary. This treatment involves administering chelating agents that bind to mercury, allowing it to be excreted from the body more easily.

Supportive Care

Depending on the symptoms, supportive treatments may include:

  • Respiratory support
  • Fluid and electrolyte management
  • Neurological interventions
  • Psychiatric support

Global Efforts to Reduce Mercury Pollution

Recognizing the widespread impact of mercury pollution, international efforts are underway to reduce mercury emissions and protect human health:

The Minamata Convention

This global treaty aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. Key provisions include:

  • Banning new mercury mines
  • Phasing out existing ones
  • Reducing mercury use in products and processes
  • Controlling mercury emissions to air
  • Regulating the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining

Industry Regulations

Many countries have implemented stricter regulations on industries that traditionally use or emit mercury, including:

  • Coal-fired power plants
  • Waste incineration facilities
  • Cement production
  • Mining operations

Consumer Product Standards

Efforts to reduce mercury in consumer products include:

  • Phasing out mercury-containing thermometers and blood pressure devices
  • Promoting energy-efficient, mercury-free lighting alternatives
  • Implementing recycling programs for mercury-containing products

Emerging Research and Future Directions

As our understanding of mercury toxicity evolves, new areas of research are emerging:

Genetic Susceptibility

Scientists are investigating genetic factors that may influence an individual’s susceptibility to mercury toxicity. This research could lead to more personalized risk assessments and prevention strategies.

Nanoparticle-Based Remediation

Innovative approaches using nanoparticles to remove mercury from contaminated water and soil are showing promise in laboratory studies. These technologies could revolutionize environmental cleanup efforts.

Biomarkers for Early Detection

Researchers are working to identify reliable biomarkers that could indicate mercury exposure or toxicity before symptoms appear. Early detection could significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Alternative Seafood Sources

With seafood being a primary source of mercury exposure, scientists are exploring ways to develop low-mercury fish farming techniques and alternative protein sources that offer similar nutritional benefits without the risk of mercury contamination.

As we continue to unravel the complexities of mercury toxicity and its impact on human health, ongoing research and global cooperation will be crucial in mitigating the risks associated with this pervasive environmental contaminant. By staying informed about the sources of mercury exposure, recognizing the symptoms of poisoning, and supporting efforts to reduce mercury pollution, individuals can play a vital role in protecting themselves and future generations from the harmful effects of this toxic metal.

Mercury poisoning: Symptoms and early signs

There are numerous possible symptoms of mercury poisoning. Examples include nervousness, numbness, muscle weakness, nausea, and more. Treatment can include avoiding mercury and, in severe cases, chelation therapy.

Mercury is a heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans. Mercury poisoning is the result of being exposed to too much mercury, either through the diet or environment.

Consuming food that contains mercury is the most common cause of mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning can cause severe symptoms and put the body at unnecessary risk.

A person can help prevent mercury poisoning by making changes to their diet and environment that limit exposure to the toxic metal.

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that is in many everyday products, albeit in tiny amounts. While this limited exposure is usually considered safe, a buildup of mercury is highly dangerous.

Mercury is a liquid at room temperature and readily vaporizes into the air around it. It is often a by-product of industrial processes, such as burning coal for power. Vaporized mercury can make its way into the rain, soil, and water, where it poses a risk to plants, animals, and humans.

Ingesting or coming into contact with too much mercury can cause symptoms of mercury poisoning.

Mercury may affect the nervous system, leading to neurological symptoms such as:

  • nervousness or anxiety
  • irritability or mood changes
  • numbness
  • memory problems
  • depression
  • physical tremors

As the levels of mercury in the body rise, more symptoms will appear. These symptoms may vary depending on a person’s age and exposure levels. Adults with mercury poisoning may experience symptoms such as:

  • muscle weakness
  • metallic taste in the mouth
  • nausea and vomiting
  • lack of motor skills or feeling uncoordinated
  • inability to feel in the hands, face, or other areas
  • changes in vision, hearing, or speech
  • difficulty breathing
  • difficulty walking or standing straight

Mercury can also affect a child’s early development. Children with mercury poisoning may show symptoms such as:

  • impaired motor skills
  • problems thinking or problem-solving
  • difficulties learning to speak or understanding language
  • issues with hand-eye coordination
  • being physically unaware of their surroundings

Mercury poisoning tends to develop slowly over time if a person comes into frequent contact with mercury. However, in some cases, mercury poisoning comes on quickly and is associated with a specific incident.

Anyone who experiences a sudden onset of mercury poisoning symptoms should call a doctor or poison control.

Exposure to high levels of mercury may also put a person at risk for long-term complications, including:

Neurological damage

Share on PinterestMercury poisoning may cause slow reflexes, damaged motor skills, and intelligence disorders.

High levels of mercury in the blood may put a person at risk for long-term neurological damage. These effects may be more pronounced in children who are still developing.

A study in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health noted that many incidents of mercury poisoning have led to long-term nerve damage, which can cause:

  • intelligence disorders and low IQ
  • slow reflexes
  • damaged motor skills
  • paralysis
  • numbness
  • problems with memory and concentration
  • symptoms of ADHD

Reproductive effects

Mercury poisoning also poses a risk to the reproductive system. It may cause reduced sperm count or decreased fertility and may also cause problems with the fetus.

Possible effects of mercury poisoning include deformity and a decreased survival rate of the fetus, and reduced growth and size of the newborn at birth.

Cardiovascular risks

Mercury helps promote the accumulation of free radicals in the body, which puts the cells at risk for damage. This may lead to an increased risk of heart problems, including heart attack and coronary heart disease.

The most common cause of mercury poisoning is from eating seafood, but people can get mercury poisoning from industrial processing, thermometers and blood pressure machines, dental work, and old paints.

Mercury poisoning from seafood

Share on PinterestThe most common way for a human to have mercury poisoning is by eating seafood tainted with mercury.

Eating seafood that has been tainted with mercury is one of the most common ways humans accumulate mercury in their bodies. The mercury in seafood is a highly poisonous form of the metal called methylmercury, which forms when mercury dissolves into the water.

Methylmercury can be absorbed from the water by all sea creatures, but it also continues through the food chain.

Small sea creatures, such as shrimp, often ingest methylmercury and are then eaten by other fish. These fish will now have more methylmercury in them than the original shrimp.

This process continues all the way up the food chain, so that a large fish may contain much more mercury than the fish it has eaten. This does not necessarily make it better to eat smaller fish, however. It is always essential for a person to check the source of their seafood to avoid contaminated fish and shellfish.

People worried about their exposure to mercury may want to limit their seafood intake, particularly of fish that are high on the food chain, such as swordfish, shark, white tuna, pike, walleye, and bass.

Pregnant or breast-feeding women may want to avoid or restrict their intake of fish and shellfish, as any mercury they contain can pass to the fetus or infant through the umbilical cord or breast milk.

Dental fillings

Amalgam fillings, commonly called silver fillings, contain approximately 40 to 50 percent mercury. Amalgam fillings are not often used now, as there are newer and safer alternatives.

Old fillings may increase a person’s risk for mercury exposure. Some people choose to replace their amalgam fillings to reduce their long-term exposure to mercury.

Other causes

Mercury poisoning may also be due to direct or environmental exposure. Mercury exposure may come from one or more of the following sources:

  • mining for gold
  • exposure to some types of jewelry
  • exposure to older paints
  • some vaccinations
  • contact with a broken fever thermometer or older house thermometer
  • toxic air in areas near factories that produce mercury as a by-product, such as coal plants

Some skin care products may also be tainted with mercury, though this is uncommon.

Doctors can usually diagnose mercury poisoning through a physical exam and blood tests. Doctors may ask about any symptoms the person is having, as well as for a general breakdown of their diet.

They may also ask questions about the environment the person lives or works in, including whether they live near any factories or work in an industrial plant.

If the doctor suspects mercury poisoning, a blood and or urine mercury test can gauge the levels of mercury in the body.

Treatment of mercury poisoning involves eliminating any and all exposure to the metal. Doctors will recommend that the person does not consume any seafood that contains mercury.

If mercury poisoning is related to a person’s workplace or environmental exposure, doctors may suggest that the person change their environment to reduce their exposure, or that the workplace puts new safety measures in place.

Mercury poisoning may cause some long-term side effects, which will be treated or managed individually.

Certain types of severe cases of mercury poisoning may require chelation therapy. This is the process of removing mercury from the organs so the body can dispose of it.

The drugs used in chelation therapy bind to heavy metals in the bloodstream and are then eliminated in the urine. Chelation therapy comes with its own risks and side effects, so it is crucial to use the medication only when necessary.

Mercury is toxic to humans. There is no standard cure for mercury poisoning, so it is best to avoid exposure to high amounts of mercury when possible.

Eliminating risk factors by making changes in the diet and work or living environment may help reduce the levels of mercury in the body.

It is essential to consult a doctor at the first sign of mercury poisoning, as it can have long-lasting effects. Parents and caregivers should also be aware of the signs of mercury poisoning in children and call a doctor if a child or infant displays any symptoms.

Mercury poisoning: Symptoms and early signs

There are numerous possible symptoms of mercury poisoning. Examples include nervousness, numbness, muscle weakness, nausea, and more. Treatment can include avoiding mercury and, in severe cases, chelation therapy.

Mercury is a heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans. Mercury poisoning is the result of being exposed to too much mercury, either through the diet or environment.

Consuming food that contains mercury is the most common cause of mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning can cause severe symptoms and put the body at unnecessary risk.

A person can help prevent mercury poisoning by making changes to their diet and environment that limit exposure to the toxic metal.

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that is in many everyday products, albeit in tiny amounts. While this limited exposure is usually considered safe, a buildup of mercury is highly dangerous.

Mercury is a liquid at room temperature and readily vaporizes into the air around it. It is often a by-product of industrial processes, such as burning coal for power. Vaporized mercury can make its way into the rain, soil, and water, where it poses a risk to plants, animals, and humans.

Ingesting or coming into contact with too much mercury can cause symptoms of mercury poisoning.

Mercury may affect the nervous system, leading to neurological symptoms such as:

  • nervousness or anxiety
  • irritability or mood changes
  • numbness
  • memory problems
  • depression
  • physical tremors

As the levels of mercury in the body rise, more symptoms will appear. These symptoms may vary depending on a person’s age and exposure levels. Adults with mercury poisoning may experience symptoms such as:

  • muscle weakness
  • metallic taste in the mouth
  • nausea and vomiting
  • lack of motor skills or feeling uncoordinated
  • inability to feel in the hands, face, or other areas
  • changes in vision, hearing, or speech
  • difficulty breathing
  • difficulty walking or standing straight

Mercury can also affect a child’s early development. Children with mercury poisoning may show symptoms such as:

  • impaired motor skills
  • problems thinking or problem-solving
  • difficulties learning to speak or understanding language
  • issues with hand-eye coordination
  • being physically unaware of their surroundings

Mercury poisoning tends to develop slowly over time if a person comes into frequent contact with mercury. However, in some cases, mercury poisoning comes on quickly and is associated with a specific incident.

Anyone who experiences a sudden onset of mercury poisoning symptoms should call a doctor or poison control.

Exposure to high levels of mercury may also put a person at risk for long-term complications, including:

Neurological damage

Share on PinterestMercury poisoning may cause slow reflexes, damaged motor skills, and intelligence disorders.

High levels of mercury in the blood may put a person at risk for long-term neurological damage. These effects may be more pronounced in children who are still developing.

A study in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health noted that many incidents of mercury poisoning have led to long-term nerve damage, which can cause:

  • intelligence disorders and low IQ
  • slow reflexes
  • damaged motor skills
  • paralysis
  • numbness
  • problems with memory and concentration
  • symptoms of ADHD

Reproductive effects

Mercury poisoning also poses a risk to the reproductive system. It may cause reduced sperm count or decreased fertility and may also cause problems with the fetus.

Possible effects of mercury poisoning include deformity and a decreased survival rate of the fetus, and reduced growth and size of the newborn at birth.

Cardiovascular risks

Mercury helps promote the accumulation of free radicals in the body, which puts the cells at risk for damage. This may lead to an increased risk of heart problems, including heart attack and coronary heart disease.

The most common cause of mercury poisoning is from eating seafood, but people can get mercury poisoning from industrial processing, thermometers and blood pressure machines, dental work, and old paints.

Mercury poisoning from seafood

Share on PinterestThe most common way for a human to have mercury poisoning is by eating seafood tainted with mercury.

Eating seafood that has been tainted with mercury is one of the most common ways humans accumulate mercury in their bodies. The mercury in seafood is a highly poisonous form of the metal called methylmercury, which forms when mercury dissolves into the water.

Methylmercury can be absorbed from the water by all sea creatures, but it also continues through the food chain.

Small sea creatures, such as shrimp, often ingest methylmercury and are then eaten by other fish. These fish will now have more methylmercury in them than the original shrimp.

This process continues all the way up the food chain, so that a large fish may contain much more mercury than the fish it has eaten. This does not necessarily make it better to eat smaller fish, however. It is always essential for a person to check the source of their seafood to avoid contaminated fish and shellfish.

People worried about their exposure to mercury may want to limit their seafood intake, particularly of fish that are high on the food chain, such as swordfish, shark, white tuna, pike, walleye, and bass.

Pregnant or breast-feeding women may want to avoid or restrict their intake of fish and shellfish, as any mercury they contain can pass to the fetus or infant through the umbilical cord or breast milk.

Dental fillings

Amalgam fillings, commonly called silver fillings, contain approximately 40 to 50 percent mercury. Amalgam fillings are not often used now, as there are newer and safer alternatives.

Old fillings may increase a person’s risk for mercury exposure. Some people choose to replace their amalgam fillings to reduce their long-term exposure to mercury.

Other causes

Mercury poisoning may also be due to direct or environmental exposure. Mercury exposure may come from one or more of the following sources:

  • mining for gold
  • exposure to some types of jewelry
  • exposure to older paints
  • some vaccinations
  • contact with a broken fever thermometer or older house thermometer
  • toxic air in areas near factories that produce mercury as a by-product, such as coal plants

Some skin care products may also be tainted with mercury, though this is uncommon.

Doctors can usually diagnose mercury poisoning through a physical exam and blood tests. Doctors may ask about any symptoms the person is having, as well as for a general breakdown of their diet.

They may also ask questions about the environment the person lives or works in, including whether they live near any factories or work in an industrial plant.

If the doctor suspects mercury poisoning, a blood and or urine mercury test can gauge the levels of mercury in the body.

Treatment of mercury poisoning involves eliminating any and all exposure to the metal. Doctors will recommend that the person does not consume any seafood that contains mercury.

If mercury poisoning is related to a person’s workplace or environmental exposure, doctors may suggest that the person change their environment to reduce their exposure, or that the workplace puts new safety measures in place.

Mercury poisoning may cause some long-term side effects, which will be treated or managed individually.

Certain types of severe cases of mercury poisoning may require chelation therapy. This is the process of removing mercury from the organs so the body can dispose of it.

The drugs used in chelation therapy bind to heavy metals in the bloodstream and are then eliminated in the urine. Chelation therapy comes with its own risks and side effects, so it is crucial to use the medication only when necessary.

Mercury is toxic to humans. There is no standard cure for mercury poisoning, so it is best to avoid exposure to high amounts of mercury when possible.

Eliminating risk factors by making changes in the diet and work or living environment may help reduce the levels of mercury in the body.

It is essential to consult a doctor at the first sign of mercury poisoning, as it can have long-lasting effects. Parents and caregivers should also be aware of the signs of mercury poisoning in children and call a doctor if a child or infant displays any symptoms.

Beware: mercury! – Useful information

Reminder to the public

Mercury is a silvery-white liquid metal, specific gravity under normal conditions is 13. 55 gcm3. Metallic mercury is poison. The main route of mercury entry into the human body, leading to the development of acute and chronic poisoning, is inhalation. Acute poisoning of people is possible when the concentration of mercury in the air is in the range of 0.13-0.8 mgm3. Materials such as wood, plastic, paint, etc. actively absorb mercury vapor. A serious danger to people is mercury, which accumulates (deposits) under the floor, in cracks, etc. It is a source of secondary infection of the object. After demercurization and ventilation of the premises, the concentration of vapors in the air decreases to the permissible level, but then mercury vapor begins to be released from the structural materials and their concentration increases sharply and can exceed the permissible value by many times.

Mercury vapor even at concentrations of 100 MPC (maximum permissible concentrations) and more have no color, no smell, no taste, do not have an immediate irritating effect on the respiratory, vision, skin integuments.

Mercury vapor poisoning appears after 8-24 hours.

Acute mercury vapor poisoning causes copper-red coloration of the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx, metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, possible increase in body temperature up to 39°C. After a few hours, and sometimes days, an upset stomach may appear. There is redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums.

All of the above phenomena are accompanied by an extremely painful condition, a feeling of fear, severe headaches and pain when swallowing, rapid pulse, cardiac weakness, cramps in the calf muscles. Possible fatal outcome.

Chronic mercury poisoning (merculism) usually begins with mild symptoms of acute poisoning. In the future, general malaise, loss of appetite, and weight loss gradually develop. The affected person becomes nervous, weakness, drowsiness, heavy dreams and irritability, headaches, joint pains appear. In severe cases of poisoning, working capacity, mental activity, and memory are reduced. A “mercury tremor” (trembling) of the fingers, eyelids, lips and toes develops – typical signs of mercury neurasthenia.

Metallic mercury and its vapors affect not only the internal organs of a person, but also affect his skin (hair loss, rash, itching, changes in skin sensitivity).

ATTENTION CITIZENS:

If you broke a thermometer:

First – do not panic, in domestic conditions, competent demercurization (neutralization of surfaces contaminated with metallic mercury) can be carried out independently.

1. Open windows to let fresh air in and lower the temperature in the room (the warmer it is in the apartment, the more metal evaporates).

2. Restrict people’s access to the room where the device crashed (close the doors) in order to prevent the spread of mercury to adjacent rooms and the spread of vapors around the apartment, lay a rug soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate at the entrance.

3. Start the demercurization process.

Conduct a thorough inspection of things and surfaces that may have been exposed to droplets of mercury. All contaminated items should be placed in plastic bags and taken out of the room. Carefully and carefully collect all the fragments of the thermometer and mercury balls in any sealed container (for example, a glass jar with a polyethylene lid). A medical pear with a thin tip, an enameled scoop, a sheet of thick paper, and an adhesive plaster will help well in this work.

Vacuum cleaner is not recommended as when mercury is collected by a vacuum cleaner in the room, the concentration of vapors increases sharply and when working without protective equipment, you can get tangible poisoning; after such a procedure, an ordinary vacuum cleaner can no longer be used for its intended purpose due to heavy pollution. Washing vacuum cleaners can be restored only after thorough washing with special solutions.

Treat floors and objects that have been exposed to mercury with a chlorine-based product. Chemical neutralization is carried out as follows:

– in a plastic (not metal!) bucket, a solution of chlorine-containing bleach (“Whiteness” or bleach powder) is prepared at the rate of 1 liter of the product per 8 liters of water (2% solution). With the resulting solution, using a sponge, brush or floor cloth, the floor and other contaminated surfaces are washed. Particular attention is paid to the cracks of parquet and skirting boards. The applied solution is kept for 15 minutes, then washed off with clean water.

– in the future, it is desirable to regularly wash the floor with soap and soda solution and intensive ventilation.

4. Think about your own health :

a) wash gloves and shoes with soap and soda solution

b) rinse your mouth and throat;

c) brush your teeth thoroughly;

d) take 2-3 activated charcoal tablets.

What should I do if mercury is found somewhere?

Sometimes mercury is found spilled in the entrance, at the workplace, sometimes it is found by children. Such cases, unfortunately, are not rare.

This is an emergency and should not be dealt with on your own. Remember that you can never accurately determine how much of a hazardous substance is spilled, where it leaked and how much evaporated.

Professionals clean the room with chemicals that react with and neutralize mercury, and then wash away the compounds.

Licensed organizations on the territory of the Vladimir region engaged in the demercurization and disposal of mercury-containing waste:

Engineering LLC

Address: Vladimir, st. Gorky, house 106, office 41,

tel./fax 8 (4922) 34-08-15

– Econorma LLC

Address: Vladimir, st. Dvoryanskaya, house 27 “A”, building 7, office 28

Tel. 8 (4922) 37-12-13

Works are carried out in accordance with the price list, prices must be specified by phone organizations.

Mercury poisoning: description, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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Most of us have come across that part of childhood, for which, perhaps, the main warning was: “Be careful with the thermometer!” Someone obeyed the adults without further questions, and someone was told in detail that the thermometer contains a very dangerous substance – mercury.

But what if a person did not notice a broken or cracked thermometer and the symptoms of mercury poisoning have already begun to take effect?

Signs of poisoning will be the same in both children and adults. Pay attention to the following symptoms:

  • Weakness all over the body;
  • Loss of appetite;
  • Sore throat on swallowing;
  • Headache;
  • Metallic taste in mouth, bleeding gums;
  • Profuse salivation;
  • Puffiness;
  • Chill;
  • Vomiting;
  • Heat.

All these signs can be observed after a short time from the release of mercury vapor. A couple of hours are enough for the body to begin to react to poisoning, so in no case should you delay with emergency measures and proper disinfection of the room.
Of course, many have already switched to electronic thermometers, but mercury still continues to be invisibly present in everyday life. It is used in the production of other fragile household items – energy-saving incandescent lamps.