You've probably heard the word 'mercury', right? Maybe it's in old incandescent bulbs, or some types of CFL bulbs. Mercury is a heavy metal that is naturally found in the environment. But if this mercury enters our bodies in more than the necessary amount, it can be very dangerous to our health. That's what we're going to talk about today. Rather than being afraid of this, the most important thing is to be aware of it.
Is mercury really toxic to our bodies?
Yes, mercury is a toxic metal. In many countries around the world, for example, in Japan and Iraq, this mercury poisoning has even caused major public health crises.
But there's something important we need to understand here. Depending on the nature of mercury, its harmfulness can be more or less. Simply put, there are several types of mercury.
- For example: Methylmercury is a type of mercury that is quickly absorbed from our digestive system and deposited in various tissues. This is the most dangerous.
- On the other hand: Things like mercury salts are not easily absorbed by the body. Therefore, they do not have much of an effect.
That means the damage depends on what type of mercury you are exposed to and how much.
How does this mercury enter the body?
There are several ways mercury can enter our bodies. This can happen by breathing it in, absorbing it through the skin or eyes, or getting it in food. The main and most common ways of exposure to mercury are:
1. Fish and seafood consumption
Mercury that is added to the environment also ends up in water sources. Then, small fish in the water take this mercury into their bodies. Then, larger fish eat those small fish. As you move up the food chain, the largest fish at the top accumulate high levels of mercury in their body tissues. Tuna, swordfish, and sharks are examples of fish that can have high levels of mercury.
2. Dental Fillings
Modern dental fillings contain very low levels of mercury. This is safe for most people. However, in some cases, there may be a risk of inhaling very small amounts of mercury vapor. However, there is no need to worry unnecessarily about this. If you have any concerns about this, it is best to talk to your dentist.
3. Workplaces and Environment
People who work in landfills, work with old mercury vapor lamps, or work in environments with broken fluorescent and CFL bulbs are at slightly higher risk of mercury poisoning.
The important thing is that you will not develop mercury poisoning just because you were exposed to mercury for a short time, or even just because you touched a harmless form of mercury. So don't be afraid.
A story about vaccines and mercury
Some people are afraid that vaccines contain mercury. But the truth is, vaccines (some of them) use a mercury compound that is harmless to the body and breaks down and is eliminated from the body very quickly. Therefore, there is no health risk of mercury poisoning from vaccines.
Do pregnant mothers need to be especially careful?
Yes. Babies in the womb are especially sensitive to mercury exposure. If a mother eats fish and seafood high in mercury during pregnancy, that mercury can pass to the baby and affect the baby's development, especially the development of the brain and nervous system. Therefore, pregnant mothers and those who are expecting a baby should be especially careful about this.
What are the symptoms of mercury poisoning?
Because mercury comes in many forms and can be deposited in many different places in the body, the symptoms can be very wide-ranging. These are especially common with long-term exposure to mercury.
| Characteristic type | Common symptoms seen |
|---|---|
| Mental and nervous system related | Anxiety, depression, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and numbness in the limbs due to nerve damage. |
| Physical and movement related | Chronic fatigue, weight loss, decreased peripheral vision, decreased sensation in the hands, feet, and around the mouth, poor coordination, and muscle weakness. |
| Pertaining to internal organs | Kidney damage, difficulty breathing. |
In severe cases, mercury poisoning can even lead to death. If you think you may have been exposed to mercury for a long time and you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
How is the diagnosis made?
It can sometimes be difficult to accurately diagnose mercury poisoning, as the symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses.
Usually, the doctor will order blood and urine tests. But these tests alone cannot give a complete picture. Therefore, your doctor will ask you many questions to make a diagnosis. For example:
- What symptoms are you having? Are they similar to those of mercury poisoning?
- Could there be another cause that fits these symptoms better?
- Do you have a history of exposure to mercury through your job, diet (especially eating seafood frequently?), or having multiple mercury fillings in your teeth?
- Does anyone in your family have a disease that is thought to be related to mercury, for example, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease?
- Do you have other medical conditions that make it difficult to remove heavy metals like mercury from your body?
After considering all of this, if there is a high probability that your symptoms are due to mercury poisoning, the doctor will decide to start treatment.
What are the treatments?
Regardless of the type of mercury you were exposed to, you will most likely be treated with a method called chelation therapy .
Simply put, this involves injecting special compounds (drugs) into the body that can bind to and capture mercury particles in the body. Once these drugs capture the mercury particles, our body is able to eliminate those bound compounds through urine. This is how the amount of mercury in the body is reduced.
Take-Home Message
- Mercury is a toxic metal, but the harm it causes depends on the type, amount, and length of time you are exposed to it.
- Avoid eating large, marine fish (sardines, swordfish, shark) that are high in mercury. Be especially careful if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or feeding them to young children.
- Carefully dispose of broken CFL bulbs and old bamboo skewers. Avoid direct contact with them.
- If you have several unexplained, unrelated symptoms (such as fatigue, anxiety, numbness) and think you may have a history of mercury exposure, be sure to see your doctor.
- Never ignore symptoms. Do not diagnose yourself based on what you read online, but seek the advice of a doctor.
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