Hazards/Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning
Posted on Thu, Mar 18, 2010 @ 12:31 PM
By Andy Joy, Life Sciences Account Manager
As you all are aware, Elemental Mercury is a hazard to you and the environment; but what makes it hazardous? Back in the day, people would play with Mercury in their hands during high school chemistry class, so why is this not allowed anymore?
Mercury (Hg) is a very heavy, silver color, chemical element. It's actually the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Mercury is derived from Mercuric Sulfide (through reduction) which is a highly toxic compound; it can enter through the body by ingestion, inhalation, injection or absorption.
When Mercury enters your body, it gets in your blood stream, which then travels through the body and targets your kidneys, nerve tissue, and your brain. Your kidneys and brain are where Mercury accumulates over long exposure, which in turn takes a long time for your body to work Mercury out of your system.
You can be exposed to Mercury by acute or chronic exposure. For acute exposures (initial exposures with high concentrations), some symptoms include, but are not limited to, fatigue, chills, and fever. Also, some respiratory effects are coughing, shortness of breath, and burning sensation in the chest due to inflammation of the lungs. As for chronic exposure (long-term exposure), your memory, mood/behavior, and coordination with your muscular and nervous system can be affected.
Needless to say, Mercury is not a chemical we should play with in our bare hands. With years of research and stories of its effects, it's a chemical that needs to be treated with the upmost respect. Even the tiniest drop of Mercury is a hazard to its surroundings, so be cautious if you see Mercury not contained in a safe manner.