What are the primary symptoms of mercury poisoning. How does mercury exposure affect human health. What are the long-term consequences of mercury toxicity. How is mercury poisoning diagnosed and treated. Why is mercury considered a hazardous substance.

Understanding Mercury: A Toxic Element with Serious Health Implications

Mercury, a naturally occurring element, exists in various forms throughout our environment. While it has historical uses in thermometers, dental amalgams, and certain industrial processes, its toxic nature poses significant health risks. Exposure to mercury, particularly through inhalation or ingestion, can lead to severe poisoning and long-lasting health effects.

Forms of Mercury and Their Toxicity

Mercury exists in three main forms:

• Elemental mercury: Liquid at room temperature, it vaporizes easily and can be inhaled.
• Inorganic mercury compounds: Found in some industrial processes and older medicines.
• Organic mercury compounds: Methylmercury is the most common, often found in contaminated fish.

Each form presents unique health risks, with organic mercury compounds generally considered the most toxic due to their ability to accumulate in living organisms.

7 Key Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning

Recognizing the symptoms of mercury poisoning is crucial for early intervention and treatment. Here are the seven primary signs to watch for:

1. Neurological Disturbances

How does mercury affect the nervous system? Mercury has a strong affinity for nerve tissue, leading to various neurological symptoms:

• Tremors, particularly in the hands
• Impaired coordination and balance
• Difficulty with fine motor skills
• Memory problems and cognitive decline

2. Vision Changes

Mercury can significantly impact vision, causing:

• Blurred or tunnel vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Color blindness in severe cases

3. Sensory Impairments

Mercury poisoning often affects sensory functions, resulting in:

• Numbness or tingling in extremities
• Loss of sensation in hands, feet, or around the mouth
• Impaired taste and smell

4. Mood and Behavioral Changes

The neurotoxic effects of mercury can lead to psychological symptoms:

• Irritability and mood swings
• Anxiety and depression
• Insomnia or sleep disturbances

5. Gastrointestinal Issues

Mercury ingestion often causes digestive problems, including:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea or constipation

6. Respiratory Symptoms

Inhalation of mercury vapor can lead to respiratory issues:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or tightness
• Persistent cough

7. Skin Changes

Mercury can cause dermatological symptoms, such as:

• Skin rashes or dermatitis
• Excessive sweating
• Peeling skin, particularly on hands and feet

Mercury Exposure: Sources and Prevention

Understanding the common sources of mercury exposure is essential for prevention. Where might individuals encounter mercury in their daily lives?

• Contaminated fish and seafood
• Industrial emissions and pollution
• Broken mercury-containing devices (e.g., old thermometers)
• Certain occupational settings (e.g., mining, dentistry)
• Some traditional medicines or cosmetics

To minimize exposure, consider these preventive measures:

1. Follow fish consumption advisories, especially for pregnant women and children
2. Properly dispose of mercury-containing products
3. Ensure adequate ventilation in workplaces where mercury is used
4. Choose mercury-free alternatives when available
5. Be cautious with traditional medicines or cosmetics that may contain mercury

Diagnosing Mercury Poisoning: Challenges and Approaches

Diagnosing mercury poisoning can be challenging due to its varied symptoms, which often mimic other conditions. How do healthcare professionals confirm mercury toxicity?

• Medical history and symptom assessment
• Blood and urine tests to measure mercury levels
• Hair analysis for long-term exposure assessment
• Neurological and cognitive function tests
• Imaging studies to evaluate organ damage

It’s important to note that mercury levels in blood or urine may not always correlate directly with symptom severity, particularly in cases of chronic exposure.

Treatment Options for Mercury Poisoning

Once diagnosed, what treatment approaches are available for mercury poisoning? The primary goals of treatment are to:

1. Remove the source of exposure
2. Provide supportive care for symptoms
3. Eliminate mercury from the body

Treatment strategies may include:

• Chelation therapy: Using medications that bind to mercury and help the body excrete it
• Hemodialysis in severe cases
• Symptomatic treatment for specific health effects
• Nutritional support and dietary modifications
• Long-term monitoring and follow-up care

The effectiveness of treatment often depends on the duration and severity of exposure, as well as the form of mercury involved.

Long-Term Health Impacts of Mercury Exposure

What are the potential long-term consequences of mercury poisoning? Chronic mercury exposure can lead to persistent health issues, including:

• Permanent neurological damage
• Kidney dysfunction or failure
• Cardiovascular problems
• Reproductive issues and birth defects
• Increased risk of certain cancers

The severity and persistence of these effects can vary widely depending on factors such as the duration and intensity of exposure, the form of mercury involved, and individual susceptibility.

Developmental Impacts on Children

Children and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to mercury’s toxic effects. How does mercury exposure impact developing brains?

• Impaired cognitive function and lower IQ
• Delayed language development
• Motor skill deficits
• Behavioral problems and attention disorders

These developmental impacts underscore the importance of preventing mercury exposure, especially during pregnancy and early childhood.

Environmental and Ecological Concerns Related to Mercury

Beyond its direct health impacts on humans, mercury poses significant environmental and ecological challenges. How does mercury affect ecosystems and wildlife?

• Bioaccumulation in aquatic food chains
• Contamination of water bodies and soil
• Impacts on wildlife reproduction and behavior
• Contribution to global pollution through long-range atmospheric transport

These environmental concerns have led to international efforts to reduce mercury use and emissions, such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Mercury in the Food Chain

The process of biomagnification makes mercury particularly problematic in aquatic ecosystems. How does mercury accumulate in the food chain?

1. Mercury enters water bodies through various sources
2. Microorganisms convert it to methylmercury
3. Small fish consume these microorganisms
4. Larger predatory fish eat the smaller fish
5. Mercury concentrations increase at each level of the food chain

This process explains why large predatory fish, such as tuna and swordfish, often have higher mercury levels, posing risks to human consumers.

Regulatory Measures and Global Efforts to Reduce Mercury Exposure

Given the serious health and environmental impacts of mercury, what steps are being taken globally to address this issue?

• International agreements like the Minamata Convention
• Phasing out mercury use in products and industrial processes
• Stricter regulations on mercury emissions from power plants and industries
• Improved waste management and disposal practices
• Public education and awareness campaigns

These efforts aim to reduce mercury pollution, protect human health, and preserve ecosystems for future generations.

Challenges in Mercury Regulation

Despite progress, several challenges remain in controlling mercury pollution:

• Legacy contamination from historical uses
• Ongoing artisanal gold mining practices in developing countries
• Balancing economic interests with environmental protection
• Addressing mercury emissions from natural sources

Overcoming these challenges requires continued international cooperation, technological innovation, and commitment to sustainable practices.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Mercury Toxicology

As our understanding of mercury’s impacts grows, what new areas of research are scientists exploring?

• Genetic factors influencing mercury susceptibility
• Novel chelation therapies and detoxification methods
• Long-term effects of low-level chronic exposure
• Interactions between mercury and other environmental toxins
• Innovative technologies for mercury detection and removal

These research directions hold promise for improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mercury poisoning in the future.

Potential Therapeutic Approaches

What innovative treatments are being investigated for mercury toxicity?

• Nanomaterial-based chelation agents
• Gene therapy to enhance mercury detoxification
• Targeted antioxidant therapies
• Stem cell treatments for neurological damage

While many of these approaches are still in early stages of research, they offer hope for more effective treatments in the future.

In conclusion, mercury poisoning remains a significant global health concern with far-reaching impacts on individuals, communities, and ecosystems. Understanding its symptoms, sources, and effects is crucial for prevention and early intervention. As research advances and global efforts to reduce mercury pollution continue, we can hope for a future with reduced mercury exposure and better outcomes for those affected by its toxic effects.

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Tip of the Day

Go through your medicine cabinet and get rid of outdated medicines, mercury thermometers, ipecac syrup and anything else that is outdated or obsolete.

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Batteries Cause Devastating Injuries

Swallowed batteries burn through a child’s esophagus in just 2 hours, leading to surgery, months with feeding and breathing tubes, and even death. About the size of a nickel, 20 mm, 3-volt lithium coin cells are the most hazardous as they are big enough to get stuck and burn faster. Secure battery compartments and keep loose batteries away from children.

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E-Cigs and Toddlers: Beware

Electronic cigarettes (e-Cigs) are devices made to look like real cigarettes. They contain a battery, a heater, and liquid nicotine. When heated, the nicotine liquid becomes a vapor, which users inhale. Liquid nicotine products contain flavorings and something to help the product vaporize. Liquid nicotine products are very poisonous if swallowed.

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Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer

It’s not an intriguing or novel hazard, just the persistent, invisible killer: carbon monoxide. Seriously, you still don’t have a carbon monoxide alarm in every sleeping area of your home? Get one! And keep fuel-burning appliances in good repair; don’t use grills or gasoline-powered tools indoors, and don’t run your car in an attached garage or place a generator close to your home.

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First Aid for Poisonings

Poison Control is here to help if you swallow or come in contact with something that might be poisonous. Don’t wait for symptoms to develop. Contact Poison Control immediately if you suspect a poisoning. Before you contact us, there are first aid measures that make a difference if accomplished within seconds to minutes of the poison exposure. Be sure you know about them. 

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webPOISONCONTROL Data Dashboard

The webPOISONCONTROL data analysis dashboard is the only free and publicly available online source of national (U. S.), near real-time poison exposure data. Find out more about the dashboard so you can fully explore data summaries and trends of poisonings from common substances like personal care products, cleaning substances, medicines, pesticides, plants, bites and stings, and more. 

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Mercury Poisoning Symptoms | 7 Signs

Medically reviewed by Neka Miller, PhD on January 21, 2021. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

Ideally, you should have no mercury in your body, but small amounts—which usually from your diet—pose no true problems. However, in some cases, mercury can accumulate in the body over time and result in chronic mercury poisoning—posing a serious threat to one’s health. So what mercury poisoning symptoms should one keep an eye out for? Keep reading to learn more about some common mercury poisoning symptoms.

What causes mercury poisoning?

How do you get mercury poisoning? Eating fish as part of one’s diet is the main way people in the United States are exposed to mercury. That’s because trace amounts of mercury are present in bodies of water—such as lakes, rivers, and oceans—and mercury levels can build up over time in different kinds of fish (as well as shellfish).

Generally speaking, fish consumption is a healthy dietary choice, but frequently eating seafoods containing relatively high amounts of mercury can put you at a greater risk of mercury poisoning. Fish like shark, swordfish, tile fish, and king mackerel are known to have a high mercury content—so not eating these kinds of fish can help limit the mercury entering your body. On the other hand, seafood like anchovies, crawfish, herring, salmon, and trout have a very low mercury content.

Fish consumption, however, isn’t the only possible source of mercury poisoning. Use of certain consumer and medical products, and specific occupations, can come with a higher risk of mercury exposure.

A select number of consumer products, such as fluorescent light bulbs and older thermometers, contain small amounts of liquid mercury. If these products accidentally break, the mercury can escape the container and evaporate—turning into a toxic (but invisible) gas. Exhaling this gas can contribute to mercury toxicity. (For more information, see the Environmental Protection Agency’s List of Common Consumer Products that Contain Mercury.)

Dental fillings, or dental amalgam (popularly known as “silver filling”), are another potential source of mercury exposure as this type of filling contains a small amount of liquid mercury. In the vast majority of cases, however, proper use of dental amalgam does not pose a serious health risk.

Exposure to mercury is also an occupational hazard in some industries. In particular, those who work in chemical processing facilities involving mercury or where electrical equipment or automative parts are made face a higher risk of mercury exposure.

The symptoms of mercury poisoning

Accumulating high levels of mercury in the body is often a slow process that can occur over a period of months or years, contributing to various downstream health effects. Similar to arsenic, iodine, and cadmium poisoning, that slow onset means that most people do not immediately realize that they are experiencing mercury poisoning. That being said, here are some symptoms that can give a clue to mercury toxicity:

1. Broad neurological symptoms

Organic mercury acts as a neurotoxin, meaning that it can drastically affect your central and peripheral nervous systems. This can lead to varying symptoms involving your cognition. This can include trouble thinking or processing thoughts, as well as sudden memory problems. The effect on the nervous system can also inhibit the senses, leading to:

• Sudden vision changes (particularly a loss of peripheral vision)
• Impaired speech and hearing
• Numbness or a “pins and needles” sensation in the face and extremities

2.

Seizures

Along with the above neurological symptoms, severe or chronic mercury poisoning may also increase the risk of seizures. Seizures are characterized by sudden electrical disturbances in the brain. While many people associate seizures with sudden uncontrollable jerking in the arms and legs, it also has much subtler symptoms, including:

• Temporary confusion
• A sudden loss of consciousness or awareness
• Staring spells
• A sudden sense of fear, anxiety, déjà vu, and other cognitive and emotional symptoms

3. A loss of fine motor skills

The damage to the brain and nerves can naturally extend to problems with fine motor skills. This can manifest in a sudden lack of basic coordination, like not being able to walk or move properly. You may experience uncontrollable shaking or tremors. Your muscles may also feel weak or unsupportive, or they may ache regardless of physical activities performed.

4. Mood changes and behavioral symptoms

Mercury intoxication may contribute to some severe mood and behavioral issues. People with mercury poisoning may experience greater irritability, or they may even suffer from previously undiagnosed depression and anxiety disorders. This can go even further into sudden bursts of anger, suicidal ideation, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. These behavioral symptoms may come as a result of mercury’s damaging effects on the brain, which may fail to properly process or synthesize essential neurotransmitters linked to behavioral and mental health.

5. Kidney damage

When mercury enters the bloodstream, it may affect the brain and the kidneys. With a high enough concentration of mercury, you may suffer chronic kidney damage. Large amounts of mercury in the bloodstream can also result in massive blood loss and fluid loss from kidney failure. Often one of the characteristic diagnostic markers of acute exposure is excess protein in the urine.

6. Respiratory issues

While mercury can potentially cause health issues if ingested orally, the more prominent danger comes from inhaling its vapors as it evaporates. This allows the mercury vapor to reach the lungs, potentially contributing to severe respiratory problems. Pneumonitis, or inflammation of the lung tissue, happens almost immediately, while continued exposure to mercury vapors can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia. This can eventually progress to pulmonary edema, which is characterized by an excess amount of fluid in the lungs and potentially respiratory failure.

7. Developmental issues

Exposure to mercury can be the most damaging to developing children, infants, and fetuses. Along with many of the above symptoms, mercury can cause long-term developmental issues. Infants and children exposed to high concentrations may experience problems or delays with:

• General cognitive abilities
• Coordination and fine motor skills
• Visual-spatial awareness
• Language development

Diagnosing and treating mercury poisoning

Experiencing symptoms is often the first step to understanding that one is suffering from mercury poisoning. It’s frequently what brings a person into a healthcare provider’s office in the first place. From there, the healthcare provider may perform a variety of tests to determine if one does have mercury poisoning and to what extent: whether it can be categorized as mild, acute, or chronic exposure. Diagnosis usually involves a physical examination, blood tests, and urine tests. A healthcare provider might also ask about diet and lifestyle.

Treating mercury toxicity usually revolves around ceasing any exposure to mercury. This could mean changing one’s diet to remove mercury-rich fish and shellfish, or spending time away from a job site where there’s a high risk of mercury exposure. Ceasing exposure can sometimes be enough to help with mild symptoms. For more advanced forms of mercury poisoning, a healthcare provider may prescribe chelation therapy. This involves the use of chemicals known as chelating agents, which bind to mercury and other heavy metals, making them easier to eliminate and flush out of the body.

Related content

Heavy metal poisoning symptoms

Cadmium poisoning: causes and symptoms

References

1. Rice KM, Walker EM Jr, Wu M, Gillette C, Blough ER. Environmental mercury and its toxic effects. J Prev Med Public Health. 2014;47(2):74-83.

2. Basic Information about Mercury. United States Environmental Protection Agency. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

3. Mercury in Dental Amalgam. United States Environmental Protection Agency. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

4. Mercury. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

5. Heavy metal poisoning. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

6. Yuan Y. Methylmercury: a potential environmental risk factor contributing to epileptogenesis. Neurotoxicology. 2012;33(1):119-126.

7. Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury. United States Environmental Protection Agency. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

8. Mercury in Your Environment: Steps You Can Take. United States Environmental Protection Agency. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

Mercury poisoning: description, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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Most of us have experienced 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 has not noticed 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 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;
• Edema;
• Chill;
• Vomiting;
• High temperature.

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.

If, nevertheless, something bad happened – after washing the body, you can always check whether there is still mercury in the body by passing the appropriate tests:

Determination of mercury in urine

Consequences of mercury poisoning from a thermometer

Disputes continue about whether it is possible to get poisoned by mercury if the thermometer breaks. Metal balls in the tank of the device are not dangerous to humans. However, the poisonous metal, being a substance of the first hazard class, instantly begins to evaporate. It is impossible to notice the first symptoms of a broken thermometer in the apartment. Mercury has no specific physical properties (color, smell, etc.).

Vapors of chemical poison spread most actively in enclosed spaces, with poorly adjusted ventilation and air conditioning systems. This means that poisoning with mercury vapor from a thermometer occurs instantly if the consequences of damage to the glass case in apartments and private houses are not eliminated in a timely manner.

Mercury from a thermometer: symptoms of poisoning

Poisonous metal enters the body through the lungs. The first signs of mercury poisoning from a thermometer can be seen after two to three hours:

• Clouding of consciousness;
• Pain in the head;
• palpitations;
• Dizziness;
• Gastrointestinal disorder;
• Peculiar taste in the mouth;
• Nervous disorders;
• Drowsiness;
• Tremor.

As a preventive measure, you should take a shower, brush your teeth thoroughly, rinse your mouth with manganese or soda solutions, and take activated charcoal. It removes poisonous metal liquid well – you should drink more water.

If mercury poisoning from a thermometer has occurred, the symptoms will increase over time if the victim is not provided with qualified medical assistance in a timely manner.

Is it possible to get poisoned by mercury from a thermometer if the substance has not leaked out?

If it is obvious that only the tip of the thermometer is damaged, and the reservoir with metal balls is intact, then the evaporation of mercury does not occur, which means that poisoning does not occur. The damaged device must be carefully placed in a tight sealed container and handed over to a hazardous household waste collection point.

Is it possible to get mercury poisoning from a thermometer if it is removed?

Many people decide on their own to eliminate the elements of the damaged thermometer and the poisonous metal itself. Particles of the glass case do not pose a danger to humans, but mercury that has entered the body can seriously impair health.

If a thermometer breaks, many do not fear mercury poisoning and clean the floor with ordinary household cleaning products. However, the poison of the first class of danger does not cease to actively evaporate at the same time, and wet cleaning helps the substance spread around the entire perimeter of the apartment.

According to the established SanPiN standards, mercury can only be cleaned by professional demercurization (neutralization of the action of the substance). The process is a purification of air from the harmful concentration of metal vapors. Experts use gas analyzers that are able to identify the centers of the spread of poison with the utmost accuracy. Control measurements are carried out to confirm the quality of the demercuration works carried out.

Is it possible to get poisoned by mercury from a broken thermometer after a few years?

The mechanism of toxic effects of poison on the human body can be divided into two stages. Primary toxicity occurs just a few hours after contact with fumes. The secondary effects of mercury poisoning from a thermometer can take many years to manifest. Basically, this is due to the wrong technology for the elimination of metal that has entered the atmosphere. Often you can see the elements of a damaged thermometer in hard-to-reach places. Balls can roll into cracks and baseboards, get into the pile of carpets and even into the plumbing system. That is why, avoiding mercury poisoning from a thermometer is possible only with the right approach to neutralizing fumes.

Mercury vapor from a thermometer

Many people use household thermometers with liquid metal in a glass tank. However, few people know that mercury vapor from a thermometer is dangerous to humans. At first glance, it may seem that a small amount of a substance does not pose a threat to health. However, mercury poisoning from a thermometer can occur within a few hours with their active inhalation. It is important not only to eliminate the damaged device as soon as possible, but also to make sure that all sources of evaporation are completely eliminated in the room.

Mercury poisoning from a thermometer: symptoms

• Clouding of consciousness;
• Confused speech;
• Vertigo;
• Tremor;
• Disorders of the human gastrointestinal tract;
• Atypical taste in the mouth.

Mercury vapor poisoning from a thermometer occurs almost instantly if you do not leave the room in time. It is important not only to get out of the room where the mercury has spilled, but also to isolate it.

Mercury vapor from a thermometer: effects

It is not uncommon for people to attempt to repair a damaged thermometer on their own, and the effects of mercury poisoning from the thermometer are not immediately noticed. The substance is capable of evaporating for years (up to 30 years!) in a closed room. Poisonous metal settles on porous surfaces, it can be in the cracks of the parquet board, under the baseboards. Mercury from a thermometer may not immediately provoke symptoms of poisoning. It will take several years to determine chronic diseases resulting from inhalation of harmful fumes. The symptoms of a broken thermometer are often confused with temporary malaise. However, negligent attitude to the substance of the first class of danger is not allowed.