Have you ever seen an old thermometer break and see a shiny silver liquid fall out? Or have you heard that eating certain types of large fish can be bad for your health? These stories can actually be related to a dangerous substance called Mercury. Today, we will talk about this thing called Mercury Poisoning in a simple way that you can understand, like talking to a friend.
What is this Mercury?
Simply put, mercury is a naturally occurring compound found in the soil and rocks of our planet. It is shiny and silvery in color. That's why some people call it "liquid silver." You may remember that in science class, mercury is represented by the symbol Hg on the periodic table, and its atomic number is 80. One of the unique things about mercury is that, although it is classified as a metal, it can be either a liquid or a solid depending on the temperature.
Mercury is a good conductor. That means it allows electricity and heat to pass through it easily. That's why you see mercury in old thermometers, streetlights, and some fluorescent lightbulbs.
What is Mercury Poisoning?
Mercury is a very toxic and harmful substance to our bodies. Mercury poisoning is when too much mercury enters your body and your body reacts negatively to it. Think of it this way, it's like our body trying to get rid of something it doesn't want when it enters our body.
What types of mercury can be poisonous?
There are three types of mercury that can be harmful to our bodies. Let's take a look at what they are:
1. Elemental Mercury
This is what liquid mercury, or 'quicksilver', is for. You can find it in glass jars, some electrical switches, fluorescent lightbulbs, and even dental fillings.
2. Inorganic Mercury
This type of mercury is used in batteries, some disinfectants, and even in chemistry labs.
3. Organic Mercury
You can find organic mercury in the smoke from burning coal, in fish that have eaten methylmercury (a form of organic mercury), and in old antiseptics, such as the red dye mercurochrome.
Who could be most affected by this?
Mercury poisoning can affect anyone who comes into contact with mercury or ingests it.
However, it is most severe in young children and in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. This risk is especially high if you eat a lot of fish that is high in mercury.
How common is mercury poisoning?
In some countries, such as the United States, mercury poisoning is not very common. However, in other countries, especially in mining areas or coastal cities, where food is more likely to be contaminated with mercury, this situation may be more common.
How does mercury poisoning affect your body?
If you eat, touch, or breathe mercury, your body reacts negatively to it. Once inside your body, the mercury travels to your heart, central nervous system (CNS), which is your brain and spinal cord, and kidneys. Your body knows that mercury is not something you want to be there. So, your immune system tries to get rid of this mercury compound, just as it would attack bacteria or a virus. This is what causes the symptoms.
What are the symptoms of mercury poisoning?
Symptoms of mercury poisoning can vary from person to person, and the severity of symptoms varies depending on the type of mercury and how much was ingested.
Dissolution characteristics of elemental mercury
Elemental mercury is usually not harmful if you touch it or swallow it, because it is slippery and is less likely to be absorbed through the skin or intestines. However, elemental mercury is very dangerous if you inhale it, that is, if it goes into your lungs with your breath. This often happens when mercury falls on the floor and someone tries to pick it up with a ``vacuum cleaner''. Then the mercury evaporates and enters the air.
Symptoms can occur almost immediately after inhaling elemental mercury:
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling a metallic taste in the mouth
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bleeding or swollen gums
Characteristics of Inorganic Mercury Dissolution
Inorganic mercury is poisonous if swallowed. Once this chemical enters the body, it travels through the bloodstream and attacks your brain and kidneys.
Characteristics of inorganic mercury solutions:
- Feeling like you have a burning sensation in your stomach and/or throat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea (bloating)
- Bleeding with vomiting or stool
- Change in urine color
Characteristics of Organic Mercury Dissolution
Organic mercury is toxic if you breathe it in or touch it. Symptoms do not appear immediately. Symptoms often appear after prolonged exposure to the compound (perhaps years or decades). Although not always common, symptoms can occur if you are exposed to a large amount of organic mercury at once.
Symptoms of long-term exposure to organic mercury:
- Feeling numbness or some vague pain in some parts of the body
- Tremors (uncontrollable shaking)
- Feeling out of control when walking
- Double vision or blurred vision; possibly blindness
- Memory loss
- Symptoms of epilepsy (`(Seizures)`)
Exposure to high levels of methylmercury (a form of organic mercury) during pregnancy can damage the developing baby's brain. Many doctors recommend limiting the amount of fish you eat during pregnancy, or avoiding some types of fish altogether (especially tuna).
Long-term exposure to organic mercury can be fatal. If you are regularly exposed to organic mercury, you should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This means using things like a mask and gloves to reduce the risk of health problems caused by this compound.
What are the reasons for this?
Exposure to mercury is the main cause of mercury poisoning. There are several ways your body can be exposed to mercury:
- Inhalation of mercury vapor (mercury in the air as small droplets and entering the lungs).
- Eating fish or seafood that naturally contains large amounts of organic mercury.
- Swallowing mercury.
- Touching liquid mercury.
How is this diagnosed?
Often, mercury poisoning is diagnosed in the emergency room, after exposure and severe symptoms develop.
Your doctor will confirm a diagnosis of mercury poisoning by taking your complete medical history and performing a physical examination. The doctor will ask about your symptoms, how long they have been present, how severe they are, and whether you have been exposed to any chemicals or compounds.
To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may perform several tests to check your mercury levels:
- Chest X-ray (`(Chest X-ray)`)
- Urinalysis (24-hour urine collection)
- Blood tests (`(Bloodwork)` - complete blood count `(complete blood count)` and metabolic panel)
- A heart rhythm chart (`(Electrocardiogram - ECG)`)
How is it treated?
In the emergency room, the doctor will first remove the dangerous substance from your skin and/or clothing (decontamination). This is done to prevent further exposure. Then, your symptoms will be treated immediately. These treatments will vary depending on the type of mercury.
The main goal of treatment is to remove mercury from your body. This can include things like:
- Chelation therapy (removal of metals from the body) - given as a liquid through an IV.
- Giving oxygen through a mouth mask.
- Medication for symptoms.
- Dialysis (blood dialysis) if the kidneys are not working properly.
- Surgery may be required to remove the mercury.
Often, after exposure to mercury, it is necessary to take ``chelators'' (drugs that remove metals from the body) for several weeks or months to completely remove the chemical from the body.
Even if immediate treatment is given to remove mercury from the body, the damage caused by this compound can sometimes cause long-term symptoms, which may require ongoing treatment.
How do you avoid mercury poisoning?
There are a few things you can do to stay safe from mercury poisoning. It's very simple:
- Limit the amount of fish you eat (containing mercury).
- Avoid eating fish (containing mercury) if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Wear personal protective equipment when working with chemicals and compounds.
- Avoid places where mercury is present in your environment.
- Consider replacing your old amalgam fillings with a safer alternative.
Important: If you spill mercury on the floor, never use a vacuum cleaner to pick it up! Doing so can cause the mercury to evaporate into the air and enter your lungs. If you spill mercury, consult your local health department or environmental protection authority for advice on how to properly clean it up.
What happens if there is a mercury spill?
Mercury is very dangerous to the human body. How you will react after exposure depends on the amount of mercury you ingested and your overall health at the time of exposure.
Some people experience very mild symptoms and are in good health after receiving treatment to remove the compound from their bodies.
However, if you are exposed to mercury in large quantities, your chances of recovery are slim. Inhaling elemental mercury can cause permanent lung damage and brain damage. Inorganic mercury can cause kidney damage and bleeding. Organic mercury can damage your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). If you ingest large amounts of mercury, if you are exposed for a long time, or if you are left untreated, it can even lead to death.
If you think you have been exposed to mercury, call the Poisons Information Center immediately (in Sri Lanka, you can call 0112 686 143) and go to an emergency room immediately.
When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?
If you have symptoms of mercury poisoning, or if you know you have been exposed to mercury, go to an emergency room immediately. Don't delay.
What questions should you ask the doctor?
When you go to see the doctor, you can ask questions like these:
- Do I need long-term treatment to treat mercury poisoning?
- Has the mercury that entered my body caused any damage to my organs?
- What foods should I avoid if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Can eating fish cause mercury poisoning?
Yes, some fish contain a type of organic mercury called `(methylmercury).` This is something that is found in the water where fish live. `(Methylmercury)` is something that is dangerous to your body if you eat a lot of it. However, the mercury that comes from fish in normal, limited amounts is not that bad for people.
Some types of fish and shellfish with high mercury levels:
- Shark
- King mackerel, Swordfish
- Tuna - (large tuna species)
- Orange roughy
- Pike
- Walleye
- Bass
The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) recommends that you avoid or limit your intake of fish high in mercury if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is good to be aware of this in our country as well.
Can mercury be removed from dental amalgam fillings?
Old amalgam fillings (also known as silver fillings) contain about 50% elemental mercury by weight. They also contain other metals such as silver, copper, and tin. If you have old amalgam fillings in your mouth, you are at risk of exposure to mercury and its dissolution.
Symptoms of mercury exposure from amalgam fillings are similar to those of elemental mercury exposure. The main symptom is a metallic taste in the mouth.
However, unless your fillings are damaged or there is tooth decay underneath, you don't need to immediately remove your amalgam fillings and replace them with a safer alternative. However, if your amalgam fillings are damaged, talk to your dentist about replacing them, as you are at higher risk of mercury exposure.
Finally, I have to say... (Take-Home Message)
Exposure to mercury does not affect everyone the same. Sometimes the symptoms can be very mild, while other times they can be life-threatening.
However, if you have any suspicion that you have been exposed to mercury, regardless of whether it was a small or large amount, call a Poison Control Center immediately. In Sri Lanka, the National Poison Control Center number is 0112 686 143 . You can call this number to get expert advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It doesn't have to be an emergency, you can ask any questions you have about mercury poisoning or how to protect yourself from it. It is also very important to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Take care of your health!
` Mercury, Mercury poisoning, symptoms, treatment, prevention, fish, dental fillings, poisoning
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න