What are the main causes of mercury poisoning. How can you recognize the symptoms of mercury toxicity. What treatments are available for mercury poisoning. How does mercury affect children and pregnant women. Which fish contain high levels of mercury.

Understanding Mercury and Its Toxicity

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that has become increasingly prevalent in our environment due to industrialization. While small amounts of mercury in everyday products and foods may not pose significant health risks, excessive exposure can lead to mercury poisoning – a serious condition with potentially severe consequences.

Mercury can infiltrate our bodies through various routes, including:

• Consumption of contaminated seafood
• Exposure to certain types of jewelry
• Industrial processes and pollution
• Dental amalgams (silver fillings)
• Some vaccines (though the link to autism has been debunked)

The most common form of mercury poisoning results from ingesting too much methylmercury or organic mercury, which is primarily found in seafood. As mercury accumulates in water bodies, it enters the aquatic food chain, concentrating in larger predatory fish.

Identifying the Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning

Mercury poisoning can manifest in various ways, affecting multiple body systems. The symptoms may develop gradually as mercury accumulates in the body over time, or they can appear suddenly in cases of acute exposure.

Common Symptoms in Adults

Adults experiencing mercury poisoning may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Anxiety and depression
• Irritability and mood swings
• Memory problems and cognitive difficulties
• Numbness or tingling in extremities
• Tremors and lack of coordination
• Vision changes
• Hearing and speech difficulties
• Muscle weakness

Mercury Poisoning in Children and Infants

Children and infants are particularly vulnerable to the effects of mercury exposure. Symptoms in young individuals may include:

• Delays in cognitive development
• Impaired fine motor skills
• Speech and language development issues
• Reduced visual-spatial awareness
• Learning disabilities

It’s crucial to note that mercury can pass from mother to child during pregnancy or through breast milk, potentially causing long-term neurological changes in the developing fetus or infant.

The Dangers of Mercury Poisoning from Fish and Seafood

While fish and seafood are excellent sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, some species can contain high levels of mercury. Understanding which fish to avoid or consume in moderation is essential for preventing mercury poisoning.

Fish with High Mercury Levels

The following fish species are known to contain higher concentrations of mercury:

• Sharks
• Swordfish
• Bigeye tuna
• Marlin
• Tilefish
• King mackerel
• Orange roughy

Low-Mercury Fish Options

For those looking to enjoy the benefits of fish while minimizing mercury exposure, consider these lower-mercury options:

• Anchovies
• Salmon
• Tilapia
• Sardines
• Cod
• Haddock
• Flounder
• Trout

Even when consuming low-mercury fish, moderation is key. The FDA recommends that pregnant or breastfeeding women limit their intake to 2-3 servings of 4 ounces of low-mercury fish per week, or one 4-ounce serving of moderate-mercury fish per week.

Long-Term Effects of Mercury Poisoning

Chronic exposure to mercury can lead to severe and sometimes irreversible health complications. Understanding these potential long-term effects is crucial for recognizing the importance of prevention and early intervention.

Neurological Impacts

Mercury is particularly notorious for its effects on the nervous system. Long-term exposure can result in:

• Permanent brain damage
• Cognitive decline
• Personality changes
• Chronic tremors
• Impaired motor function

Kidney Damage

The kidneys are another major target of mercury toxicity. Prolonged exposure can lead to:

• Permanent kidney damage
• Reduced filtration capacity
• Increased risk of kidney failure

Cardiovascular Effects

Mercury can also impact the cardiovascular system, potentially causing:

• Hypertension
• Increased risk of heart attack
• Circulatory failure in severe cases

Preventing Mercury Poisoning: Tips and Precautions

While completely avoiding mercury exposure may be challenging in today’s world, there are several steps you can take to minimize your risk of mercury poisoning:

1. Be mindful of fish consumption: Choose low-mercury fish options and follow recommended serving guidelines.
2. Avoid mercury-containing products: Be cautious of older thermometers, certain types of jewelry, and some skin-lightening creams.
3. Proper disposal of mercury-containing items: Ensure proper disposal of fluorescent light bulbs and other mercury-containing products.
4. Occupational safety: If you work in an industry that uses mercury, follow all safety protocols and wear appropriate protective equipment.
5. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with local fish advisories and environmental reports on mercury levels in your area.

By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of mercury exposure and potential poisoning.

Diagnosing Mercury Poisoning: Tests and Procedures

If mercury poisoning is suspected, healthcare professionals may employ various diagnostic tools to confirm the presence and extent of mercury toxicity. Understanding these diagnostic methods can help individuals seeking medical attention for potential mercury exposure.

Blood Tests

Blood mercury levels are often the first line of investigation. How are blood tests used to diagnose mercury poisoning? Blood tests can detect recent or ongoing exposure to mercury, particularly useful for identifying acute poisoning cases. However, they may not accurately reflect the total body burden of mercury, especially in cases of chronic exposure.

Urine Tests

Urine mercury levels can provide valuable information about long-term exposure. What do urine tests reveal about mercury poisoning? Urine tests are particularly useful for assessing inorganic mercury exposure and can help monitor the body’s mercury excretion over time. They are often used in conjunction with blood tests for a more comprehensive evaluation.

Hair Analysis

Hair samples can offer insights into mercury exposure over a longer period. How does hair analysis contribute to mercury poisoning diagnosis? Mercury accumulates in hair over time, making hair analysis an effective tool for assessing chronic exposure. This method is especially useful for detecting methylmercury exposure from fish consumption.

Neurological Examination

Given mercury’s significant impact on the nervous system, a thorough neurological examination is often part of the diagnostic process. What aspects of neurological function are assessed? Doctors may evaluate:

• Coordination and balance
• Reflexes
• Sensory responses
• Cognitive function
• Tremors or involuntary movements

Imaging Studies

In some cases, imaging studies may be recommended to assess potential damage to organs such as the brain or kidneys. Which imaging techniques are commonly used? MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scans may be employed to visualize any structural changes or abnormalities resulting from mercury toxicity.

Treatment Options for Mercury Poisoning

Once mercury poisoning is diagnosed, prompt and appropriate treatment is crucial to minimize long-term health effects. The treatment approach may vary depending on the severity of poisoning and the type of mercury involved.

Elimination of Mercury Exposure

The first step in treating mercury poisoning is to identify and eliminate the source of exposure. How can ongoing mercury exposure be stopped? This may involve:

• Removing mercury-containing dental amalgams
• Changing dietary habits to avoid high-mercury fish
• Addressing occupational exposures
• Removing contaminated items from the living environment

Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy is a primary treatment for severe mercury poisoning. How does chelation therapy work to treat mercury poisoning? This medical procedure involves administering chelating agents that bind to mercury in the body, allowing it to be excreted through urine. Common chelating agents include:

• Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)
• Dimercaptopropane sulfonate (DMPS)
• D-penicillamine

Chelation therapy must be performed under close medical supervision due to potential side effects and the risk of redistributing mercury within the body.

Supportive Care

Depending on the severity of symptoms, supportive care may be necessary. What supportive measures are typically employed? These may include:

• Intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration
• Medications to manage symptoms such as nausea or pain
• Nutritional support
• Respiratory support in severe cases

Long-Term Management

Recovery from mercury poisoning can be a prolonged process, often requiring ongoing medical care and monitoring. What does long-term management of mercury poisoning involve? This may include:

• Regular blood and urine tests to monitor mercury levels
• Neurological assessments to track recovery progress
• Occupational therapy to address any lingering motor or cognitive issues
• Psychological support to manage emotional and behavioral changes

Mercury Poisoning in Vulnerable Populations

Certain groups are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of mercury exposure. Understanding these vulnerable populations is crucial for targeted prevention and early intervention strategies.

Pregnant Women and Developing Fetuses

Pregnant women and their unborn children are at heightened risk from mercury exposure. How does mercury affect fetal development? Mercury can cross the placental barrier, potentially causing:

• Impaired neurological development
• Cognitive deficits
• Motor skill delays
• Reduced birth weight

Pregnant women are advised to be particularly cautious about their fish consumption and exposure to other potential mercury sources.

Infants and Young Children

The developing nervous systems of infants and young children are especially vulnerable to mercury’s toxic effects. What specific risks do children face from mercury exposure? These may include:

• Developmental delays
• Learning disabilities
• Behavioral problems
• Impaired fine motor skills

Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about potential mercury sources in children’s environments and diets.

Occupational Exposure

Certain professions carry a higher risk of mercury exposure. Which occupations are at increased risk for mercury poisoning? High-risk occupations include:

• Dental professionals (due to amalgam fillings)
• Industrial workers in chloralkali plants
• Gold miners using mercury amalgamation
• Laboratory workers handling mercury-containing equipment
• Recycling workers dealing with electronic waste

Proper safety measures and regular health monitoring are crucial for workers in these industries.

Subsistence Fishing Communities

Communities that rely heavily on fish as a primary food source may be at increased risk of mercury poisoning. How can these communities balance nutritional needs with mercury risk? Strategies may include:

• Education on low-mercury fish options
• Diversification of protein sources
• Regular health screenings for community members
• Collaboration with environmental agencies to monitor local fish populations

Environmental Impact and Global Concerns

Mercury pollution is not just a health issue but also an environmental concern with global implications. Understanding the broader context of mercury contamination is crucial for developing comprehensive solutions.

Sources of Environmental Mercury

Mercury enters the environment through various natural and anthropogenic sources. What are the primary contributors to environmental mercury pollution? Major sources include:

• Coal-fired power plants
• Industrial processes (e.g., chlor-alkali production)
• Artisanal and small-scale gold mining
• Waste incineration
• Natural sources like volcanic eruptions

Bioaccumulation in Ecosystems

Once in the environment, mercury undergoes a complex cycle of transformations. How does mercury accumulate in ecosystems? The process involves:

• Conversion of inorganic mercury to methylmercury by microorganisms
• Accumulation of methylmercury in aquatic food chains
• Biomagnification as larger predators consume contaminated prey

This bioaccumulation explains why larger, predatory fish tend to have higher mercury concentrations.

Global Efforts to Reduce Mercury Pollution

Recognizing the transboundary nature of mercury pollution, international efforts have been launched to address this global issue. What major initiatives are in place to combat mercury pollution? Key efforts include:

• The Minamata Convention on Mercury: A global treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from mercury
• UNEP Global Mercury Partnership: A voluntary initiative to reduce mercury use and emissions
• Regional cooperation programs focusing on specific mercury-related issues

Future Challenges and Opportunities

Despite progress, significant challenges remain in addressing mercury pollution. What are the key areas for future focus in mercury mitigation? Important aspects include:

• Developing mercury-free technologies for industries
• Improving waste management practices to prevent mercury release
• Enhancing global monitoring and data sharing on mercury levels
• Addressing legacy mercury contamination in ecosystems
• Supporting developing countries in transitioning to mercury-free practices

By addressing these challenges, we can work towards a future with reduced mercury pollution and its associated health risks.

Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Small amounts of mercury present in everyday foods and products may not affect your health. Too much mercury, however, can be poisonous.

Mercury poisoning refers to toxicity from mercury consumption. Mercury is a type of toxic metal that we can come into contact with in a variety of ways. This may include consuming certain types of seafood and wearing certain types of jewelry.

The most common cause of mercury poisoning is from consuming too much methylmercury or organic mercury, which is linked to eating seafood.

Mercury itself is naturally occurring, but the amounts in the environment have been on the rise due to industrialization. The metal can make its way into soil and water, and eventually into animals like fish.

Consuming foods with mercury is a common cause of this type of poisoning. Children and pregnant people are the more vulnerable to the effects of mercury poisoning. You can help prevent toxicity by limiting your exposure to this potentially dangerous metal.

Mercury is most notable for its neurological effects. In general, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that too much mercury may cause:

• anxiety
• depression
• irritability
• memory problems
• numbness of the hands, feet, or mouth
• pathologic shyness
• tremors

More often, mercury poisoning builds up over time, along with its effects.

But, a sudden onset of any of these symptoms could be a sign of acute toxicity. Call a healthcare professional right away if you suspect mercury poisoning.

Mercury poisoning is an emergency

If you suspect you or someone else has sudden mercury poisoning, call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 or your local emergency services.

Was this helpful?

Mercury poisoning symptoms in adults

Adults with advanced mercury poisoning might experience:

• hearing and speech difficulties
• lack of coordination
• muscle weakness
• nerve loss in hands and face
• trouble walking
• vision changes

Mercury poisoning symptoms in children and infants

Mercury poisoning can also disrupt fetal and early childhood development. Infants and young children who’ve been exposed to high levels of mercury may have delays in:

• cognition
• fine motor skills
• speech and language development
• visual-spatial awareness

People who are pregnant or nursing should avoid eating fish with high levels of mercury. Mercury can be passed to a developing fetus in the womb or to a child through breast milk.

High amounts of mercury can lead to long-term and sometimes permanent neurological changes. The dangers are especially notable in young children who are still developing.

Mercury exposure can lead to developmental problems in the brain, which can also affect physical functions such as motor skills. Some children who are exposed to mercury at a young age may develop learning disabilities, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.

Adults with mercury poisoning may have:

• permanent brain damage
• permanent kidney damage
• circulatory failure

Mercury poisoning from fish and seafood

Methylmercury (organic mercury) poisoning is largely linked to eating seafood, mainly fish. Toxicity from fish has two causes:

• eating certain types of mercury-containing fish
• eating too much fish

Fish get mercury from the water they live in. All types of fish contain some amount of mercury. Larger types of fish can have higher amounts of mercury because they prey on other fish that contain mercury too. The concentration of mercury concentrations in fish and seafood may be 1 to 10 million times that of the concentration in the surrounding water.

Fish with the highest levels of mercury can include:

• sharks
• swordfish
• bigeye tuna
• marlin
• tilefish
• king mackerel
• orange roughy

It’s also possible to develop mercury poisoning from eating too much seafood, even if the varieties have lower levels of mercury.

The FDA states that in small amounts, certain types of fish with lower mercury levels may be okay for adults to eat once or twice per week.

Fish and seafood with the lowest mercury levels can include:

Fish and seafood with moderate levels of mercury can include:

Though these options contain less mercury, you’ll want to take care in how much you eat.

According to the FDA, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should restrict your consumption to 2 to 3 servings of 4 ounces of fish and seafood with the lowest mercury levels per week, or one 4-ounce serving of fish and seafood with moderate mercury levels per week.

A 2020 study found that, for study participants, eating fish less than one time a week had little effect. However, participants who ate fish two or more times a week had dangerously high levels of fetal mercury exposure.

The FDA also recommends that children ages 11 and under eat 2 servings or less per week of fish or seafood with the lowest mercury levels. Serving sizes by age can vary. These serving sizes include:

• Ages 1 to 3: 1 ounce
• Ages 4 to 7: 2 ounces
• Ages 8 to 10: 3 ounces
• Age 11: 4 ounces

Certain states, territories, and tribes in the US may also have specific advisories about water sources where fish are caught that may be contaminated with mercury. It’s best to be aware of these advisories before consuming fish caught by yourself, your family, or your friends.

Other causes of mercury poisoning can be environmental or from exposure to other forms of this metal. These can include:

• broken thermometers that contain mercury
• dental fillings with amalgam
• certain types of jewelry
• mining for gold and household gold extraction
• certain skin care products that may have been purchased abroad or marketed illegally in the U.S., according to the FDA
• exposure to toxic air in industrialized communities

Mercury poisoning is diagnosed with a physical exam and other tests. These tests may include:

• chest radiograph
• urinalysis
• blood tests, such as serum mercury levels, a complete blood count (CBC) and a metabolic panel

A healthcare professional may ask about your symptoms and when they started. They may also ask you about your dietary choices and other lifestyle habits.

If mercury poisoning is suspected, doctors may request additional blood and urine tests to measure the mercury levels in your body.

Depending on the level of mercury poisoning, treatment may involve decontamination.

You may be placed on an IV or given oxygen.

If your mercury levels reach a certain point, a healthcare professional may have you do chelation therapy. Chelating agents are drugs that remove the metal from your organs and help your body dispose of them.

Other attempts to reduce the amount of mercury in your body and gastrointestinal (GI) tract may be performed. These may involve:

• charcoal
• whole bowel irrigation
• dialysis
• transfusions

Long term, you may need continuing treatment to manage the effects of mercury poisoning, such as neurological effects.

There’s no cure for mercury poisoning. The best way to treat mercury poisoning is to limit your exposure to the metal. If you eat a lot of mercury-containing seafood, a doctor may caution you to stop immediately.

If toxicity is linked to your environment or workplace, you might need to take steps to remove yourself from the area to prevent further effects of poisoning.

When detected early, mercury poisoning can be halted. However, neurological effects from mercury toxicity are often permanent.

Mercury poisoning is an emergency

If you suspect you or someone else has sudden mercury poisoning, call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 or your local emergency services.

Was this helpful?

The best way to prevent dietary mercury poisoning is to take care with the amount and types of seafood that you eat. You can also:

• Limit your intake of larger fish.
• Avoid fish containing high levels of mercury if you’re pregnant or nursing.
• Follow fish and seafood serving guidelines for children.
• Be choosy with your sushi choices. Many popular sushi rolls are made with mercury-containing fish.
• Be on the lookout for fish advisories in your area. This is especially useful if you fish for your own seafood.
• Take a blood or urine mercury test before trying to conceive.
• Wash your hands right away if you think you’ve been exposed to other forms of mercury.
• Manage household spills of mercury.
• Avoid activities with known mercury exposure risk, such as home gold extraction.

Mercury poisoning can occur if too much mercury enters the body.

You can potentially get mercury poisoning by eating certain types of seafood and wearing certain types of jewelry.

To help prevent ingesting toxic amounts of mercury, follow the FDA guidelines for seafood consumption. Some types of seafood are higher in mercury than others.

Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Small amounts of mercury present in everyday foods and products may not affect your health. Too much mercury, however, can be poisonous.

Mercury poisoning refers to toxicity from mercury consumption. Mercury is a type of toxic metal that we can come into contact with in a variety of ways. This may include consuming certain types of seafood and wearing certain types of jewelry.

The most common cause of mercury poisoning is from consuming too much methylmercury or organic mercury, which is linked to eating seafood.

Mercury itself is naturally occurring, but the amounts in the environment have been on the rise due to industrialization. The metal can make its way into soil and water, and eventually into animals like fish.

Consuming foods with mercury is a common cause of this type of poisoning. Children and pregnant people are the more vulnerable to the effects of mercury poisoning. You can help prevent toxicity by limiting your exposure to this potentially dangerous metal.

Mercury is most notable for its neurological effects. In general, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that too much mercury may cause:

• anxiety
• depression
• irritability
• memory problems
• numbness of the hands, feet, or mouth
• pathologic shyness
• tremors

More often, mercury poisoning builds up over time, along with its effects.

But, a sudden onset of any of these symptoms could be a sign of acute toxicity. Call a healthcare professional right away if you suspect mercury poisoning.

Mercury poisoning is an emergency

If you suspect you or someone else has sudden mercury poisoning, call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 or your local emergency services.

Was this helpful?

Mercury poisoning symptoms in adults

Adults with advanced mercury poisoning might experience:

• hearing and speech difficulties
• lack of coordination
• muscle weakness
• nerve loss in hands and face
• trouble walking
• vision changes

Mercury poisoning symptoms in children and infants

Mercury poisoning can also disrupt fetal and early childhood development. Infants and young children who’ve been exposed to high levels of mercury may have delays in:

• cognition
• fine motor skills
• speech and language development
• visual-spatial awareness

People who are pregnant or nursing should avoid eating fish with high levels of mercury. Mercury can be passed to a developing fetus in the womb or to a child through breast milk.

High amounts of mercury can lead to long-term and sometimes permanent neurological changes. The dangers are especially notable in young children who are still developing.

Mercury exposure can lead to developmental problems in the brain, which can also affect physical functions such as motor skills. Some children who are exposed to mercury at a young age may develop learning disabilities, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.

Adults with mercury poisoning may have:

• permanent brain damage
• permanent kidney damage
• circulatory failure

Mercury poisoning from fish and seafood

Methylmercury (organic mercury) poisoning is largely linked to eating seafood, mainly fish. Toxicity from fish has two causes:

• eating certain types of mercury-containing fish
• eating too much fish

Fish get mercury from the water they live in. All types of fish contain some amount of mercury. Larger types of fish can have higher amounts of mercury because they prey on other fish that contain mercury too. The concentration of mercury concentrations in fish and seafood may be 1 to 10 million times that of the concentration in the surrounding water.

Fish with the highest levels of mercury can include:

• sharks
• swordfish
• bigeye tuna
• marlin
• tilefish
• king mackerel
• orange roughy

It’s also possible to develop mercury poisoning from eating too much seafood, even if the varieties have lower levels of mercury.

The FDA states that in small amounts, certain types of fish with lower mercury levels may be okay for adults to eat once or twice per week.

Fish and seafood with the lowest mercury levels can include:

Fish and seafood with moderate levels of mercury can include:

Though these options contain less mercury, you’ll want to take care in how much you eat.

According to the FDA, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should restrict your consumption to 2 to 3 servings of 4 ounces of fish and seafood with the lowest mercury levels per week, or one 4-ounce serving of fish and seafood with moderate mercury levels per week.

A 2020 study found that, for study participants, eating fish less than one time a week had little effect. However, participants who ate fish two or more times a week had dangerously high levels of fetal mercury exposure.

The FDA also recommends that children ages 11 and under eat 2 servings or less per week of fish or seafood with the lowest mercury levels. Serving sizes by age can vary. These serving sizes include:

• Ages 1 to 3: 1 ounce
• Ages 4 to 7: 2 ounces
• Ages 8 to 10: 3 ounces
• Age 11: 4 ounces

Certain states, territories, and tribes in the US may also have specific advisories about water sources where fish are caught that may be contaminated with mercury. It’s best to be aware of these advisories before consuming fish caught by yourself, your family, or your friends.

Other causes of mercury poisoning can be environmental or from exposure to other forms of this metal. These can include:

• broken thermometers that contain mercury
• dental fillings with amalgam
• certain types of jewelry
• mining for gold and household gold extraction
• certain skin care products that may have been purchased abroad or marketed illegally in the U.S., according to the FDA
• exposure to toxic air in industrialized communities

Mercury poisoning is diagnosed with a physical exam and other tests. These tests may include:

• chest radiograph
• urinalysis
• blood tests, such as serum mercury levels, a complete blood count (CBC) and a metabolic panel

A healthcare professional may ask about your symptoms and when they started. They may also ask you about your dietary choices and other lifestyle habits.

If mercury poisoning is suspected, doctors may request additional blood and urine tests to measure the mercury levels in your body.

Depending on the level of mercury poisoning, treatment may involve decontamination.

You may be placed on an IV or given oxygen.

If your mercury levels reach a certain point, a healthcare professional may have you do chelation therapy. Chelating agents are drugs that remove the metal from your organs and help your body dispose of them.

Other attempts to reduce the amount of mercury in your body and gastrointestinal (GI) tract may be performed. These may involve:

• charcoal
• whole bowel irrigation
• dialysis
• transfusions

Long term, you may need continuing treatment to manage the effects of mercury poisoning, such as neurological effects.

There’s no cure for mercury poisoning. The best way to treat mercury poisoning is to limit your exposure to the metal. If you eat a lot of mercury-containing seafood, a doctor may caution you to stop immediately.

If toxicity is linked to your environment or workplace, you might need to take steps to remove yourself from the area to prevent further effects of poisoning.

When detected early, mercury poisoning can be halted. However, neurological effects from mercury toxicity are often permanent.

Mercury poisoning is an emergency

If you suspect you or someone else has sudden mercury poisoning, call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 or your local emergency services.

Was this helpful?

The best way to prevent dietary mercury poisoning is to take care with the amount and types of seafood that you eat. You can also:

• Limit your intake of larger fish.
• Avoid fish containing high levels of mercury if you’re pregnant or nursing.
• Follow fish and seafood serving guidelines for children.
• Be choosy with your sushi choices. Many popular sushi rolls are made with mercury-containing fish.
• Be on the lookout for fish advisories in your area. This is especially useful if you fish for your own seafood.
• Take a blood or urine mercury test before trying to conceive.
• Wash your hands right away if you think you’ve been exposed to other forms of mercury.
• Manage household spills of mercury.
• Avoid activities with known mercury exposure risk, such as home gold extraction.

Mercury poisoning can occur if too much mercury enters the body.

You can potentially get mercury poisoning by eating certain types of seafood and wearing certain types of jewelry.

To help prevent ingesting toxic amounts of mercury, follow the FDA guidelines for seafood consumption. Some types of seafood are higher in mercury than others.

Why is mercury from a broken thermometer dangerous – mercury disposal service in Moscow

Is mercury from a broken thermometer dangerous for humans

Mercury from a broken thermometer is dangerous for humans and pets. How dangerous is mercury in an apartment from a broken thermometer? There is a norm for the content of mercury in the air for the safe living of a person. This rate is 0.0003 mg/m3. In mercury thermometers, metal, as a rule, is from 2 grams to 4 grams. Depending on the area of ​​​​the room, and the amount of evaporated mercury, you can calculate how many times the norm is exceeded.

In such cases, the norm is usually exceeded by thousands of times. Naturally, if you break a mercury thermometer, it becomes dangerous to be at home.

How dangerous is a broken mercury thermometer in a house or apartment for a person?

Vapors of mercury, getting together with the air into the lungs of a person, accumulate in the body. The main problem is that most of this poison is not excreted from the body and can provoke poisoning.

Why mercury is dangerous

After a long stay in a room where a thermometer has broken, the following symptoms appear:

• headaches and dizziness;
• nausea and vomiting;
• increased fatigue and causeless weakness;
• shortness of breath.

In severe cases of poisoning, vision is partially or completely lost. As a rule, this happens after accidents in production.

The chronic form of poisoning is also dangerous. This happens in the case of a permanent stay in a room where the norm of mercury content is significantly exceeded. This can threaten the development of serious diseases, such as tuberculosis, hypertension, trembling in the limbs. Also, outbreaks of aggression, apathy may accompany.

How dangerous is it for a person if a mercury thermometer breaks in a house or apartment? Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that it is dangerous. But, do not be upset, as modern services, equipped with professional skills, devices and protective equipment, are able to eliminate any problems with spilled mercury in just one visit.

What to do if the thermometer is broken and mercury spills?

• Get everyone out of the room;
• Open window;
• Call the mercury degassing and demercurization service in the room;
• Wear an airway dressing and rubber gloves on the hands;
• Collect all visible mercury globules in a closed container with tape or paper;
• Wait for specialists.

Advantages of “Eco-expert” in comparison with other services

1. the company’s activities are authorized by government authorities and comply with the law;
2. all specialists are certified;
3. the company has its own technologies for the disinfection of household appliances;
4. demercurization of mercury and disposal of mercury collected by owners;
5. round-the-clock work schedule.

How dangerous is it to break a mercury thermometer?

It is a mistake to think that a broken thermometer is not dangerous. Considering that a medical thermometer contains from 1 to 4 grams of poisonous metal, with continuous evaporation, the concentration of mercury will be 120 mg per 1 cubic meter. You can judge how dangerous it is to break a thermometer at home by the first symptoms of poisoning:

• Pain in the head;
• Cramping pains in the abdomen;
• Vomiting;
• Stomach disorders;
• Metallic taste in mouth;
• Febrile phenomena;
• Pain in the thoracic region;
• Dizziness.

If a pregnant woman breaks a thermometer, it is dangerous for her and for the baby! Mercury affects reproductive function. It is also important to know how dangerous a broken thermometer is for the elderly and children. These categories of citizens often have reduced immunity, as a result of which they more acutely tolerate mercury poisoning.

Is it dangerous to break a thermometer

Few people know how dangerous mercury is. Situations with damaged household thermometers happen quite often. However, poor awareness of the population and careless handling of poison of the first class of danger can lead to irreversible consequences.

If a thermometer breaks, whether it is dangerous for a person is not obvious. After all, there is little poisonous mercury in a household thermometer. However, even this amount (from 1.5 to two grams of metal) is enough to completely infect the entire apartment. Incorrectly removed mercury and damaged glass housing elements can emit fumes for up to 30 years.

Is it dangerous to break a mercury thermometer in an apartment?

In residential areas, spillage of a harmful substance poses a particular threat. Mercury evaporates most rapidly in poorly ventilated spaces. On the other hand, cross-ventilation should not be allowed, since fumes can spread over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe apartment.

The situation is aggravated by the presence of a large number of interior items, fabrics and household appliances in the housing of a modern person. Mercury easily penetrates into porous surfaces, crevices, and is absorbed into all types of fabrics. Even if visible balls of the substance are collected, it can poison the room for years.

Many who have inadvertently damaged a fragile instrument are familiar with how dangerous a broken thermometer is. The first symptoms of poisoning are quite strong: weakness, depression, dizziness, indigestion, a special taste of metal in the mouth.

Is a broken mercury thermometer dangerous for children? However, is it dangerous to break a thermometer for a child? Children are at particular risk.

The child has weak immunity and susceptibility to any kind of poisoning. Symptoms of intoxication are pronounced, and the constant interaction of the baby’s respiratory organs with toxic fumes leads to the development of dangerous chronic diseases.

Why is a broken mercury thermometer dangerous for the elderly?

Older people often already have some chronic diseases. Their body defense system is unable to cope with toxic fumes. Liquidation of the consequences of spilling mercury should be carried out as soon as possible.

Do not think about whether mercury from a broken thermometer is dangerous, because delay in eliminating the consequences of bottling will directly affect the health of households. The substance is completely removed from any premises by chemical demercurization.

What to do if a mercury thermometer breaks? – Recommendations to the public

Mercury is dangerous, or rather, its vapors are dangerous . Mercury usually enters the body in two ways: through the mouth or through inhalation of its toxic fumes . Having broken a thermometer, rarely anyone swallows mercury (an exception is a small child. But in this case, you need to induce vomiting and urgently call an ambulance.) after a broken thermometer.

Result – mercury poisoning, which can occur for a long time without any obvious symptoms. Initially, there are irritability, nausea, weight loss. But many attribute this to fatigue, work, the city. However, poisoning slowly but surely sneaks up on the holy of holies of our body – the central nervous system and kidneys.

If you broke a thermometer, remember: the main thing is that remove mercury carefully, correctly and quickly.

1. What to do

1.1. Open window in the room where the thermometer broke.
Close door to prevent polluted air from entering other rooms.

1.2. Limit the location of the accident. Mercury sticks to metal surfaces and can also be easily spread to other areas of the room on the soles.

1.3. Before collecting mercury:

• put on rubber gloves : the substance must not come into contact with exposed skin;
• to protect feet from pollution – plastic bags or shoe covers ;
• for respiratory protection – cotton-gauze bandage soaked with soda solution or moistened with water .

1.4. As carefully as possible collect the mercury and any broken parts of the thermometer in a glass jar of cold water . The water in the jar is needed so that the mercury does not evaporate.

Small droplets-balls can be collected with:
– a syringe,
– a rubber bulb,
– two sheets of wet paper or newspaper,
– plaster,
– adhesive tape,
– wet cotton,
– plasticine ,
– wet brush for drawing or shaving.

Carefully collect mercury from all slots ! A syringe with a thick needle or a pear with a thin tip will help you with this.

If you suspect that mercury has got behind skirting or under parquet floorboards , be sure to remove them and check!

If the collection of mercury is delayed, then every 15 minutes take a break and go out into the fresh air.

1.5. Close jar tightly with screw cap.
Keep can of away from heat sources.
A plastic jar with a tight lid can be used if a glass jar is not available.

1.6. The bank cannot be thrown away. Then it will need to be handed over to an enterprise engaged in disposal of mercury-containing waste or to the Ministry of Emergency Situations (service “01”). Also, information on mercury collection points can be found in the DEZ.

1.7. Treat mercury spill with solution of potassium permanganate or bleach.
For your own health it is important to do it right , so see instructions “Self demercurization” .

2. What not to do!

2.1. Do not create a draft in the room before you have collected mercury there.

2.2. Do not throw away a broken thermometer in the garbage chute ! Evaporated there 2 g of mercury are capable of polluting 6000 cubic meters. m. of air in your home!

2.3. It is forbidden to sweep mercury with a broom : hard rods of the broom will only crush poisonous balls into fine mercury dust and scatter them over an even larger area!

2.4. Do not collect mercury with the vacuum cleaner : the air blown by the vacuum cleaner facilitates the evaporation of mercury. In addition, the vacuum cleaner after that is desirable not only to throw it away, but to bury or destroy it so that no one gets it.

Vacuum cleaner in 90% of cases does not collect mercury, but only sprays, which increases the evaporation area (and the concentration of mercury vapor in the air). Part of the mercury that has settled in the vacuum cleaner will be sprayed with the next use of the vacuum cleaner.

Some people think that you don’t have to throw away your vacuum cleaner. Like, if it is modern and equipped with reliable filters , and if you then store it on a balcony or in a non-residential premises, then nothing bad will happen.

Yes, modern vacuum cleaner filters can trap most of the mercury. Some part will settle in the corrugated hose, so the hose will need to be immediately processed according to all the rules of demercurization. Not an easy procedure if the goal is to do it right…

Therefore, our opinion is that it is better not to collect mercury with a vacuum cleaner. And if you have already collected them, then it is better to destroy it.

2.5. It is very difficult to collect mercury if the thermometer is broken on a sofa or carpet or other porous or fleecy surface. In this case, some decide to throw the item away or take it to the dry cleaners.

But dry cleaning can fail, and throwing away – is also a bad decision . After all, for sure, someone will pick up a thing and get as a result mercury vapor poisoning.

If no one picks up your contaminated thing, then in Moscow, for example, it will end up at one of the 96 authorized and more than 200 unauthorized landfills for household waste in the Moscow Region, which are located near summer cottages.

As a result, from the total evaporation of such landfills YOU WILL SUFFER – in your country house (and even in the city – groundwater is common). Two options remain:

Option 1. Hand over the thing to a specialized organization for the collection of mercury-containing waste (as for the Ministry of Emergency Situations and many state and commercial organizations, this does not work well in practice).

Option 2. Do not try to return the thing, but simply call professionals for demercurization (removal of mercury). This is the easiest and most reasonable way (require the presentation of an accreditation certificate).

2.6. Do not wash clothing that has been in contact with mercury in a washing machine. If possible, it is better to throw away these clothes , making them unusable, so that no one will use them, to their misfortune.

2.7. It is forbidden to discharge mercury into sewers . It tends to settle in sewer pipes and slowly “succumb” to harmful fumes from there. By the way, extracting mercury from sewer is incredibly difficult.

2.8. Soiled rags and other used materials must not be 9 wash or rinse in the sink , or better pack in a tight transparent plastic bag and, together with the collected mercury , hand over to an organization that collects mercury-containing waste.

2.9. After cleaning the mercury:

a) Wash gloves, shoes with potassium permanganate and soap and soda solution (but it is better to simply dispose of the gloves according to the recommendations given above) ;
b) rinse your mouth and throat with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate;
c) thoroughly brush your teeth ;
d) take 2-3 tablets activated charcoal ;
e) drink more diuretic liquids (tea, coffee, juice), as mercury formations are excreted from the body through the kidneys.

3. Symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning

Symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning occur when living or working for several months, and sometimes for several years in rooms, the air of which contains mercury vapors in quantities slightly exceeding the norm (the penetration of mercury vapors from neighboring rooms, a broken mercury thermometer even a very long time ago, if the mercury was NOT carefully removed, etc.).

Primarily, affects the central nervous system . Depending on the degree of poisoning, sex, age, immunity, etc. the first signs may be different :
– increased fatigue,
– drowsiness,
– general weakness,
– headaches,
– dizziness,
– apathy,
– emotional instability (insecurity, shyness, general depression, irritability),
– weakening of memory, attention, mental performance

Gradually develops aggravated by excitement fine trembling first fingers, then eyelids, lips, in severe cases – legs and whole body.