Introduction
Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring shiny silver-white heavy metal which is present in air, water and soil. It has been used for medicinal and industrial purposes for centuries. But the exposure to mercury is toxic to humans, especially, fetus and infants, as well as to the environment. Mercury exists in various forms which have different levels of toxicity.
Classification
There are mainly three types of mercury:
1. Elemental/ Metallic – Liquid at the room temperature and less toxic than the other two forms of Hg.
2. Inorganic – Present in vapor form and exposure is possible through human occupation.
3. Organic – Methylmercury, which may enter human body through their diet like contaminated fish.
Key Facts
Factors Determining the Severity of Health Effects
Health Effects of Mercury
Children are much vulnerable to mercury than the adult population due to certain childhood behaviors and unique susceptibilities.
Signs and symptoms of acute mercury intoxication
Inhalation – Harmful effects on nervous, digestive and immune system along with adverse effects on lungs and kidneys. These effects can also be fatal.
Exposure to large quantity of mercury vapor can lead to pneumonitis.
Ingestion- Corrosion of skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract.
Precipitation of intestinal mucosal proteins, mucosal necrosis, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and shock are seen if there is ingestion of mercuric chloride.
Some neurological and behavioral disorders like tremors, insomnia, memory loss, headaches and cognitive and motor dysfunction are also seen by mercury ingestion, inhalation or skin exposure.
Management of Mercury toxicity
There’s no cure for mercury toxicity. Elimination of exposure is the best way to stop mercury toxicity. If mercury levels reach a certain point, chelation therapy may be advised by the doctor.
Reducing Human Exposure to Mercury
To Know about mercury- Click here
To know more about, how to keep health care mercury free –Click here
References
https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mercury-and-health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3253456/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096006/