Mercury poisoning

Mercury poisoning,
Other names	Mercury toxicity, mercury overdose, mercury intoxication, hydrargyria, mercurialism
The bulb of a mercury-in-glass thermometer
Specialty	Toxicology
Symptoms	Muscle weakness, poor coordination, numbness in the hands and feet
Complications	Kidney problems, decreased intelligence
Causes	Exposure to mercury
Diagnostic method	Difficult
Prevention	Decreasing use of mercury, low mercury diet
Medication	Acute poisoning: dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), dimercaptopropane sulfonate (DMPS)

Mercury poisoning is a type of metal poisoning that results from exposure to mercury, a heavy metal that's toxic in all its forms: elemental, inorganic, and organic. The signs, symptoms, and potential complications of mercury poisoning are dependent on the type, dosage, and duration of mercury exposure, and can affect various bodily systems, including the nervous, digestive, immune, and renal systems.

Signs and Symptoms

Manifestations of mercury poisoning can be diverse, presenting differently based on the form of mercury involved and the exposure period. Symptoms may range from neuromuscular effects, such as muscle weakness and poor coordination, to sensory disruptions, such as numbness in extremities, and various cognitive and psychological issues, such as anxiety, memory problems, and difficulty speaking, hearing, or seeing.

In cases of acute, high-level exposure to methylmercury, a condition known as Minamata disease can develop. If children are exposed, they might present with acrodynia (pink disease), characterized by pink, peeling skin. Chronic exposure can lead to long-term complications such as kidney damage and decreased cognitive functions.

Causes and Exposure Routes

Mercury exposure can occur through a variety of sources. Most human exposure results from consuming fish that contain bioaccumulated mercury, having mercury-based dental amalgam fillings, or occupational exposure in workplaces that use mercury. Activities that release mercury into the environment, such as burning coal and gold mining, also contribute to mercury exposure.

Rarely, mercury poisoning can occur as an intentional act, such as in attempted suicide. Testing for mercury can be conducted via blood, urine, or hair analysis, but these tests do not always accurately reflect the body's total mercury burden.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention strategies include adhering to a low-mercury diet, phasing out the use of mercury in medical devices and other products, and advocating for proper disposal of mercury and cessation of further mercury mining. For those with acute mercury poisoning from inorganic salts, chelation therapy with either dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) or dimercaptopropane sulfonate (DMPS) can improve outcomes if administered soon after exposure. However, the benefits of chelation therapy for chronic mercury exposure are unclear.

See also

• Metal Poisoning
• Minamata disease
• Chelation Therapy

Mercury poisoning Resources
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