Mercury and mercury containing compounds cause toxic responses and systemic poisoning. The symptoms of mercury poisoning are variable because it is a systemic poison--it affects the entire body. How these symptoms are manifested depends upon the form of mercury encountered, the length of exposure, the age of the exposed person and the manner that the poison enters the body.
The Facts About Mercury
Mercury is an element found naturally in air, water and soil in trace quantities. Mercury is classified as a heavy metal. It exists as elemental mercury, organic mercury compounds and inorganic salts of mercury. Each of these classifications can have a different toxic effect. Mercury is a neurotoxin and can attack other organs, including the liver, heart and kidneys. Elemental mercury can react in the environment to form mercury oxides, and other compounds. Symptoms of mercury poisoning can vary according to concentration, method of exposure, length of exposure and individual sensitivity.
Types of Mercury Exposure
Mercury and mercury compounds can enter the body by ingestion, inhalation, absorption through the skin and injection. Mercury can react in water to form methyl mercury. Methyl mercury becomes incorporated into the flesh of fish and shellfish. This organic mercury will act as a toxin when fish and shellfish are consumed. Mercury is inhaled when vapors enter the air from spills and combustion of mercury containing fuels and wastes. Mercury exposures also occur from medical treatments that include dental amalgam and injection of serums preserved with mercury compounds. Mercury vaporizes readily at ambient temperatures. This allows mercury to be inhaled in workplaces where mercury is used. Mercury also is absorbed through the skin through contact with elemental mercury, the use of topical medications and using cosmetics that contain mercury compounds. Exposure to mercury may be short-term or long-term with varying responses because of the systemic nature of mercury toxicity.
Acute and Chronic Mercury Exposures
An acute exposure is a short-term (generally less than 1 month) exposure to high concentrations of mercury. Acute exposure to mercury vapors can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, lung damage, eye irritation and skin rashes. Mercury is a neurotoxin that can damage the brain and nervous system. Exposure to high concentrations of mercury vapor can cause brain damage, peripheral nerve damage, kidney damage and damage to the developing fetus. Chronic exposure to mercury can cause psychological disturbances, cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems and digestive tract problems.
Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning
The symptoms of mercury poisoning can vary. As a heavy metal, mercury acts as a depressant nerve poison. Nervous system symptoms include memory problems, loss of hearing, narrowing of the field of vision and tremors. Personality changes can be manifested as shyness and irritability. Peripheral nerve symptoms include tingling and numbness in the feet and hands. Other symptoms of exposure can include headaches, muscle weakness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and tremors in the hands, feet or eyelids. Poisoning can result in immunological problems and allergic reaction. Discoloration of the fingernails may occur as with other heavy metals. Young children are more sensitive to the effects of mercury poisoning. Children can exhibit increased shyness, loss of speech, loss of cognitive abilities, irritability and withdrawal. Fetuses exposed to mercury in utero can exhibit brain damage, mental retardation, seizures, inability to speak, lack of coordination, blindness and damage to the nervous system, digestive tract and kidneys.
Sources of Mercury
Mercury is found in many common products. Thermometers, scientific instruments, cosmetics, medicines and fluorescent light bulbs all can contain mercury or mercury compounds. Fish and other wildlife exposed to methyl mercury in aquatic environments can absorb mercury into their flesh. Eating these animals can result in mercury poisoning. The most common exposures to mercury occur from spill cleanup, being in rooms that have had spills, and eating fish and shellfish contaminated with .
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