Mercury damages the central nervous system, endocrine system, kidneys, and other organs, and adversely affects the mouth, gums, and teeth. Mercury and its compounds are commonly used in chemical laboratories, hospitals, dental clinics, and facilities involved in the production of items such as fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, and explosives. Mercury and many of its chemical compounds, especially organomercury compounds, can also be readily absorbed through direct contact with bare, or in some cases (such as dimethyl mercury) insufficiently protected, skin. Other important human-generated sources include gold production, non-ferrous metal production, cement production, waste disposal, crematoria, caustic soda production, pig iron and steel production, mercury production (mostly for batteries), and biomass burning. An estimated two-thirds of human-generated mercury comes from stationary combustion, mostly of coal.

Human-generated sources such as coal plants emit approximately half of atmospheric mercury, with natural sources such as volcanoes responsible for the remainder. Or from improper use or disposal of mercury and mercury-containing objects, for example, after spills of elemental mercury or improper disposal of fluorescent light bulbs. Exposure to mercury can occur from breathing contaminated air, The consumption of fish is by far the most significant source of ingestion-related mercury exposure in humans, although plants and livestock also contain mercury due to bioaccumulation of mercury from soil, water and atmosphere, and due to biomagnification by ingesting other mercury-containing organisms. Mercury poisoning is caused by sufficient exposure to elemental mercury or mercury compounds. Thus, the clinical presentation may resemble pheochromocytoma or Kawasaki disease.Īn example of desquamation of the hand of a child with severe mercury poisoning acquired by handling elemental mercury is this photograph in Horowitz, et al (2002). Fanconi syndrome) or neuropsychiatric symptoms (emotional lability, memory impairment, insomnia). Other symptoms may include kidney disfunction (e.g.

Mercury is thought to inactivate S-adenosyl-methionine, which is necessary for catecholamine catabolism by catechol-o-methyl transferase.Īffected children may show red cheeks and nose, erythematous lips (red lips), loss of hair, teeth, and nails, transient rashes, hypotonia (muscle weakness), and photophobia. The type and degree of symptoms exhibited depend upon the individual toxin, the dose, and the method and duration of exposure.ĭue to its toxicity, there have been campaigns in many countries to ban mercury altogether.Ĭommon symptoms include peripheral neuropathy (presenting as paresthesia or itching, burning or pain), skin discoloration (pink cheeks, fingertips and toes), edema (swelling), and desquamation (dead skin peels off in layers).īecause mercury blocks the degradation pathway of catecholamines, epinephrine excess causes hyperhidrosis (profuse sweating), tachycardia (persistently faster-than-normal heart beat), mercurial ptyalism ( hypersalivation) and hypertension (high blood pressure). Symptoms typically include sensory impairment (vision, hearing, speech), disturbed sensation and a lack of coordination. However, with sufficient exposure all mercury-based toxins damage the central nervous system and other organs or organ systems such as the liver or gastrointestinal tract. Mercury is a cumulative heavy metal poison which occurs in its elemental form, inorganically as salts, or organically as organomercury compounds the three groups vary in effects due to differences in their absorption and metabolism, among other factors. Mercury poisoning (also known as mercurialism, hydrargyria, Hunter-Russell syndrome, or acrodynia when affecting children) is a disease caused by exposure to mercury or its toxic compounds. Please help to improve this page yourself if you can. This article needs rewriting to enhance its relevance to psychologists.

List of symptoms of mercury poisoning