Some reports suggest that similar blood mercury levels may be associated with visual, nervous, or cardiovascular system effects in adults. Blood mercury levels above 100 ng/mL have been reported to be associated with clear signs of mercury poisoning in some individuals (e.g., poor muscle coordination, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes).
How safe is Mercury in the blood?
irritability. memory problems. numbness. pathologic shyness. tremors. More often, mercury poisoning builds up over time. However, a sudden onset of any of these symptoms could be a …
What is mercury poisoning and how dangerous is it?
Jan 22, 2016 · The concentration level which warrants clinical interventions was proposed to be 40.0 μg/L or higher for the blood mercury level. For the urine mercury concentration alone, the data was insufficient; thus the limit for the concentration level …
Can mercury poisoning be treated?
Healthcare providers and laboratories are required by the New York State Sanitary Code to report the results of blood or urine mercury tests to the NYS Department of Health when mercury is at or above the following levels: blood - 5 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) urine - 20 ng/mL; Mercury levels at or above these values do not mean that you will develop adverse health effects. The …
What is total blood mercury and methyl mercury?
Nov 05, 2019 · Inhalation of mercury vapors also causes respiratory symptoms like breathlessness, coughing, burning pain and tightness in the chest. Some people may also experience pulmonary edema, fibrosis, and pneumonia. Mercury poisoning can affect adults, children, and infants alike. Some of the common mercury toxicity symptoms are discussed …
What level of mercury in the blood is considered toxic?
What levels of mercury is acceptable in humans?
What level of exposure to mercury can cause health problems?
What is the most toxic form of mercury?
How do you treat high mercury levels?
What happens if your mercury level is too high?
Share on Pinterest Mercury poisoning may cause slow reflexes, damaged motor skills, and intelligence disorders. High levels of mercury in the blood may put a person at risk for long-term neurological damage. These effects may be more pronounced in children who are still developing.
Is there a blood test for mercury levels?
How are people exposed to mercury?
How People Are Exposed to Mercury. Elemental mercury: People may be exposed when they breathe air containing elemental mercury vapors. Vapors may be present in such workplaces as dental offices, smelting operations, and locations where mercury has been spilled or released.
What happens when you eat mercury?
Inorganic Mercury: When eaten in large amounts, some inorganic mercury compounds can be very irritating and corrosive to the digestive system.
Where is mercury found?
Mercury is an element and a metal that is found in air, water, and soil. It exists in three forms that have different properties, usage, and toxicity. The three forms are called elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds.
Is mercury a metal?
Mercury is an element and a metal that is found in air, water, and soil. It exists in three forms that have different properties, usage, and toxicity. The three forms are called elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. Elemental mercury is liquid at room temperature.
Is mercury a liquid?
Elemental mercury is liquid at room temperature. It is used in some thermometers, dental amalgams, fluorescent light bulbs, some electrical switches, mining, and some industrial processes. It is released into the air when coal and other fossil fuels are burned. Inorganic mercury compounds are formed when mercury combines with other elements, ...
What is mercury salt used for?
Outside the United States, inorganic mercury salts have been used in cosmetic skin creams. Organic mercury compounds are formed when mercury combines with carbon. Microscopic organisms in water and soil can convert elemental and inorganic mercury into an organic mercury compound, methylmercury, which accumulates in the food chain.
How is mercury formed?
Organic mercury compounds are formed when mercury combines with carbon. Microscopic organisms in water and soil can convert elemental and inorganic mercury into an organic mercury compound, methylmercury, which accumulates in the food chain.
What is the normal mercury level?
According to the Mayo Clinic, blood mercury levels of 0 to 9 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) are normal and do not present a concern. A level of 10 to 15 ng/mL indicates mild exposure. Anything over 50 ng/mL may indicate heavy exposure to organic mercury.
Is mercury a toxic substance?
It’s also used in a variety of industrial products, from thermometers to light switches. There are several types of mercury. All can be toxic to humans, but some types are more harmful than others. For example, research shows that inhaling elemental (metallic) mercury vapor is more likely to lead to serious complications than swallowing it in ...
What is mercury used for?
Mercury is a type of heavy metal that occurs naturally in the environment. It’s also used in a variety of industrial products, from thermometers to light switches. There are several types of mercury.
Where does mercury enter the body?
That’s because the body absorbs very little of this type of mercury in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the gut easily absorbs another type called methyl mercury. It can also enter the body, in vapor form through the skin. Methyl mercury is most commonly found in fish and seafood.
Where is mercury found?
Methyl mercury is most commonly found in fish and seafood. Ethyl mercury occurs when the body breaks down thimerosal, the mercury-containing preservative used in a few vaccine formulations. Thimerosal prevents germs from contaminating the vaccine, but it is used safely in very trace amounts. The body clears this type of mercury faster ...
What is ethyl mercury?
Ethyl mercury occurs when the body breaks down thimerosal, the mercury-containing preservative used in a few vaccine formulations. Thimerosal prevents germs from contaminating the vaccine, but it is used safely in very trace amounts. The body clears this type of mercury faster than it does with methyl mercury.
How to know how much mercury is in your body?
Having your doctor test for mercury levels is the only way to know how much mercury is in your body. Here are several tests your doctor may use: Blood test. A blood test indicates whether you’ve been exposed to mercury in the last few days.
Can mercury be contaminated?
Persons whose skin or clothing is contaminated with liquid mercury can contaminate response personnel by direct contact or off-gassing vapor and can also contaminate equipment leading to a risk of chronic exposure for response personnel. Elemental mercury is a heavy, shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid.
What are the effects of mercury?
Gastrointestinal effects are frequent in the initial set of symptoms (metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain) as are CNS effects such as headache, weakness, and visual disturbances. Several days after the initial exposure, symptoms are more similar to those that develop following inorganic mercury poisoning, including ptyalism (heavy salivation), enteritis, and renal damage; there can also be chronic CNS effects, which develop as a result of the ability of absorbed elemental mercury to cross the blood-brain barrier.
What are some synonyms for mercury?
Medical Management Guidelines for Mercury. Synonyms include colloidal mercury, quicksilver, liquid silver, metallic mercury, and hydrargyrum. Persons exposed to elemental mercury vapor do not pose a significant risk of secondary contamination to response personnel outside the Hot Zone. Persons whose skin or clothing is contaminated ...
Is mercury flammable?
It is nonflammable, but releases toxic vapor, especially when heated. Because mercury is odorless, it does not provide any warning of hazardous concentrations. Inhalation is the primary route of exposure to elemental mercury vapor or aerosols, which are readily absorbed.
Is mercury odorless?
Because mercury is odorless, it does not provide any warning of hazardous concentrations. Inhalation is the primary route of exposure to elemental mercury vapor or aerosols, which are readily absorbed. Virtually no elemental mercury is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or by the skin.
How is mercury absorbed?
Virtually no elemental mercury is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or by the skin. Mercury crosses the placenta and can be transferred to infants via breast milk. Top of Page.
Is mercury flammable at room temperature?
It is only slightly volatile at room temperatures and significantly more volatile when heated. Elemental mercury is nonflammable and has low solubility in both water and organic solvents.
Can you cure mercury poisoning?
There’s no cure for mercury poisoning. The best way to treat mercury poisoning is to stop your exposure to the metal. If you eat a lot of mercury-containing seafood, stop immediately.
How to diagnose mercury poisoning?
Mercury poisoning is diagnosed with a physical exam and a blood and urine test. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and when they started. They will also ask you about your dietary choices and other lifestyle habits.
What is the most common cause of mercury poisoning?
Treatment. Outlook. Prevention. Mercury poisoning refers to a toxicity from mercury consumption. Mercury is a type of toxic metal that comes in different forms within the environment. The most common cause of mercury poisoning is from consuming too much methylmercury or organic mercury, which is linked to eating seafood.
Is mercury a toxic metal?
Mercury is a type of toxic metal that comes in different forms within the environment. The most common cause of mercury poisoning is from consuming too much methylmercury or organic mercury, which is linked to eating seafood. Small amounts of mercury are present in everyday foods and products, which may not affect your health.
Can mercury poisoning be caused by eating seafood?
The most common cause of mercury poisoning is from consuming too much methylmercury or organic mercury, which is linked to eating seafood. Small amounts of mercury are present in everyday foods and products, which may not affect your health. Too much mercury, however, can be poisonous. Mercury itself is naturally occurring, ...
Can mercury poisoning build up over time?
In general, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. More often, mercury poisoning builds up over time. However, a sudden onset of any of these symptoms could be a sign of acute toxicity. Call your doctor right away if you suspect mercury poisoning.
Can mercury affect motor skills?
Mercury exposure can lead to developmental problems in the brain, which can also affect physical functions such as motor skills.
What is the mercury level in the blood?
The mercury concentration in whole blood is usually lower than 10 μg/L, but the value of 20 μg/L or below is considered normal. The blood mercury concentration can rise to 35 μg/L after long-term exposure to mercury vapor [10]. Urine mercury concentration.
Is mercury a high concentration?
The recent focus on the health impact of exposure to mercury is more on chronic, low or moderate grade exposure—albeit a topic of great controversy—, not high concentration exposure by methylmercury, which caused Minamata disease, as in the past.
What are the characteristics of mercury?
Its patterns in terms of ecosystem circulation, accumulation, exposure to the human body, biological effects, and toxicity depend on the characteristics of the different mercury forms.
Where is mercury absorbed?
Metallic mercury is commonly absorbed through the respiratory tract.
Is mercury soluble in fat?
Because it forms globules, it is hardly absorbed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and thus is harmless when taken orally. In addition, being fat soluble, it readily passes through the alveolar cell barrier and oxidizes to inorganic mercury, and combines with protein and exerts a cumulative effect.
How long does mercury stay in the body?
The mercury absorbed in the body mainly goes to the kidneys and brain. The half-life of mercury in the body is about 70 days.
What are the pathways of exposure to mercury?
Biological pathway to exposure of mercury. The pathways of exposure to mercury include the following: (a) ingestion of food, ( b) inhalation or absorption (via the skin) of mercury vapor at worksites, (c) exposure during the processing of industrial and household wastes, and (d) use of pharmaceutical drugs or cosmetics.
How to lower mercury levels in blood?
Altering your diet to eat less of the types of fish known to have high mercury levels can decrease your blood mercury level. Many types of fish do not contain high levels of mercury. Eating a variety of different types of fish and shellfish is a good way to gain the nutritional benefits of eating fish while balancing concerns for mercury exposure.
Does everyone have mercury in their body?
Everyone has a small amount of mercury in his/her body. Some people may have higher than usual levels from eating fish and seafood, working with mercury-containing materials, or from other exposure sources.
Is mercury a vapor?
Mercury occurs in several forms. Elemental mercury is a silvery, odorless liquid that evaporates slowly at room temperature, becoming a vapor. Inorganic mercury is mercury combined with other chemical elements such as chlorine, ...
What is organic mercury?
Organic mercury is mercury combined with carbon-containing compounds. A common form of organic mercury is methylmercury which is produced by microorganisms in water and soil, and which accumulates in fish.
What does elevated mercury mean in urine?
Elevated mercury in urine usually indicates exposure to an elemental or inorganic source of mercury, such as from a job that uses mercury. Elevated mercury in blood usually indicates exposure to organic mercury (such as from eating fish containing methylmercury) ...
What does it mean when you have elevated mercury levels?
Elevated mercury in blood usually indicates exposure to organic mercury (such as from eating fish containing methylmercury) or recent exposure to a high level of elemental mercury vapor. For most people, an elevated blood mercury level is associated with eating fish and other seafood containing organic mercury.
What is mercury released from?
Small amounts or mercury vapor are also released from dental amalgams (fillings) that contain elemental mercury.
What are the symptoms of mercury poisoning?
Symptoms of mercury poisoning generally include fatigue, sluggishness, depression, headaches, and irritability . Inhalation of mercury vapors also causes respiratory symptoms like breathlessness, coughing, burning pain and tightness in the chest. Some people may also experience pulmonary edema, fibrosis, and pneumonia.#N#Mercury poisoning can affect adults, children, and infants alike. Some of the common mercury toxicity symptoms are discussed briefly below:
How does mercury affect humans?
Mercury toxicity to humans varies according to the type of mercury concerned, the dose, the age of the person, and the route and rate of exposure . Mercury vapors inhaled usually target the brain, whereas mercuric salts primarily damage the kidney and gut lining. Also, remember that significant acute exposures to mercury can cause severe pneumonitis, which in severe cases can be fatal. However, low-grade chronic exposures cause subtler symptoms#N#Mercury toxicity treatment primarily consists of removing the patient from the source of exposure, chelation therapy, and supportive care.
Is mercury a heavy metal?
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is widespread in nature. Most mercury exposure to humans is due to the ingestion of contaminated fish, the release of mercury from dental amalgam, or occupational exposure.
Causes and Symptoms
Mercury is a neurotoxin that can damage nerve tissue in the body and negatively affect nervous system function. There are different types of mercury poisoning with different symptoms.
Effects on Infants and Children
Methylmercury exposure can harm infants in the womb when their mothers consume fish or seafood with high mercury levels. This exposure can negatively affect brain and nervous system development.
Diagnosis
Mercury poisoning can be diagnosed with a blood test, urine test, or hair test (for long-term mercury exposure). You will need to see your healthcare provider, who will likely perform a physical exam, ask about your symptoms, and gather information about your past medical history.
Treatment
The first step for treatment requires identifying the source of mercury exposure and removing it.
Summary
Mercury is a neurotoxin that can cause many adverse health effects at high levels. The most common form of mercury poisoning occurs from consuming high-mercury fish and seafood.
A Word From Verywell
Mercury poisoning can cause many adverse health effects, but there are preventive measures you can take to avoid it. Eating a diet low in high-mercury fish and seafood, properly disposing of devices containing mercury, and being aware of everyday products that can cause mercury poisoning can help.
Is Mercury Toxic?
Mercury is a toxic metal and has caused several large public health crises throughout the world, including in Japan and Iraq. However, depending on what form it's in, mercury can be harmful or non-threatening. For example, methyl mercury is quickly absorbed by the gut and takes root in many of your body’s tissues.
How Do You Get Mercury Poisoning?
Mercury can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or eyes, or ingested. The most common ways you might be exposed to mercury are through:
What Are the Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning?
Because mercury comes in many different forms — and because of the variety of places in your body where it can settle — there’s a wide range of symptoms you might experience. Symptoms of consistent, low-grade exposure to mercury include:
How Is Mercury Poisoning Diagnosed?
It can be difficult to diagnose mercury poisoning. Blood and urine testing are necessary but don’t offer a complete picture of the extent of mercury poisoning. In addition to these tests, your doctor will ask you many questions to try to arrive at a diagnosis. They might include:
How Is Mercury Poisoning Treated?
Regardless of what kind of mercury you were exposed to, you will probably be treated with chelation therapy. During chelation therapy, compounds that are designed to bind to the mercury are inserted into your bloodstream. As these drugs do their work, your body eliminates the mercury.
How Do You Reduce Your Exposure to Mercury?
Take note of the things in your environment that could expose you to mercury. Then, do what you can to eliminate or minimize your exposure. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your symptoms or had any recent incidents that resulted in direct exposure to mercury.
How People Are Exposed to Mercury
How Mercury Affects People’s Health
- Elemental mercury:The human health effects from exposure to low environmental levels of elemental mercury are unknown. Very high mercury vapor concentrations can quickly cause severe lung damage. At low vapor concentrations over a long time, neurological disturbances, memory problems, skin rash, and kidney abnormalities may occur. Inorganic Mercury...
Levels of Mercury in The U.S. Population
- In the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (Fourth Report), CDC scientists measured total mercury in the blood of 8,373 participants aged one year and older who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2003–2004. Total blood mercury is mainly a measure of methyl mercury exposure. In the same …
Additional Resources
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
1. ToxFAQs for Mercury - CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response
1. Mercury
General Information
- There are three classes of mercury: metallic elemental mercury (quicksilver, Hg0), inorganic mercurial salts (e.g., Hg2Cl2, Hg+, HgCl2, Hg+2), and organic mercurials (e.g., methylmercury, phenylmercury). Adverse effects from exposure to mercury differ depending on the form and the route of exposure. This Medical Management Guideline focuses on elemental mercury. At room …
Health Effects
- The major route of exposure to elemental mercury is inhalation of mercury vapor. Symptoms of acute toxicity following high-level exposure to mercury vapor occur within hours of the exposure.
- Respiratory symptoms include corrosive bronchitis with fever chills and dyspnea, which can progress to pulmonary edema or fibrosis. Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, renal dysfunction, vis…
- The major route of exposure to elemental mercury is inhalation of mercury vapor. Symptoms of acute toxicity following high-level exposure to mercury vapor occur within hours of the exposure.
- Respiratory symptoms include corrosive bronchitis with fever chills and dyspnea, which can progress to pulmonary edema or fibrosis. Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, renal dysfunction, visual disturbance...
- Mercury vapor can cross the blood-brain and placental barriers. It is also excreted in breast milk. Children may be at increased risk for pulmonary toxicity and are more likely to develop respirato...
Prehospital Management
- Victims exposed to mercury vapor do not pose secondary contamination risks to rescuers. Rescuers may treat urgently ill patients without concern about acute secondary contamination to themselves or...
- Victims whose skin or clothing is visibly contaminated with liquid mercury can contaminate rescuers' equipment, clothing, or the indoor environment. Contamination of clothing or equip…
- Victims exposed to mercury vapor do not pose secondary contamination risks to rescuers. Rescuers may treat urgently ill patients without concern about acute secondary contamination to themselves or...
- Victims whose skin or clothing is visibly contaminated with liquid mercury can contaminate rescuers' equipment, clothing, or the indoor environment. Contamination of clothing or equipment can resul...
- Symptoms of acute exposure to elemental mercury vapor inhalation occur within hours of the exposure and consist of cough, chills, fever, and shortness of breath. Symptoms might resolve or gradually...
- Treatment of acute mercury exposure generally consists of removal of the patient from furth…
Emergency Department Management
- Victims exposed to mercury vapor do not pose secondary contamination risks to rescuers. Victims whose skin or clothing is visibly contaminated with liquid mercury can contaminate equipment, clothin...
- Contaminated clothing or equipment will subsequently pose a chronic inhalation hazard to others as the elemental liquid mercury off-gasses. Victims do not pose risks of secondary co…
- Victims exposed to mercury vapor do not pose secondary contamination risks to rescuers. Victims whose skin or clothing is visibly contaminated with liquid mercury can contaminate equipment, clothin...
- Contaminated clothing or equipment will subsequently pose a chronic inhalation hazard to others as the elemental liquid mercury off-gasses. Victims do not pose risks of secondary contamination afte...
- Symptoms of acute inhalation exposure to elemental mercury vapor occur within hours of the exposure and consist of coughs, chills, fever, and shortness of breath. Symptoms might resolve or graduall...
- There is no antidote for mercury. Treatment consists of cessation of exposure, supportive ca…
Patient Information Sheet
- This handout provides information and follow-up instructions for persons who have been exposed to elemental mercury. Print this handout only.pdf icon[PDF - 31 KB] Elemental mercury metal is a very heavy, shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid at room temperature. It is used to make many different kinds of products including electrical switches, batteries, and medical devices such as …
Follow-Up Instructions
- Keep this page and take it with you to your next appointment. Follow onlythe instructions checked below. Print this handout only.pdf icon[PDF - 31 KB] [ ] Call your doctor or the Emergency Department if you develop any unusual signs or symptoms within the next 24 hours, especially: 1. coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath 2. excessive saliva (spit) 3. decreas…
Where Can I Get More Information?
- If you have questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or environmental quality department or: For more information, contact: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences 4770 Buford Highway Chamblee, GA 30341-3717 Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO 888-232-6348 (TTY) Email: Contact CDC-INF…