2. Mercury is a chemical
element with the
symbol Hg and atomic
number 80. A heavy, silvery d-
block element, mercury is the only
metal that is liquid at standard
conditions for temperature and
pressure; the only other element
that is liquid under these
conditions is bromine, though
metals such
as caesium, francium, gallium,
and rubidium melt just above
room temperature.
3. Chronic Mercury
Poisoning
Mercury poisoning (also
known
as hydrargyria or mercurial
ism) is a disease caused by
exposure to mercury or
its compounds. Mercury
(chemical symbol Hg) is
a heavy metal occurring in
several forms, all of which
can produce toxic effects in
high enough doses.
4. Prevention
Mercury poisoning can be prevented (or minimized) by
eliminating or reducing exposure to mercury and
mercury compounds. To that end, many governments
and private groups have made efforts to regulate
heavily the use of mercury, or to issue advisories about
its use.
5. Diagnosis
Diagnosis of elemental or inorganic
mercury poisoning involves
determining the history of exposure,
physical findings, and an
elevated body burden of mercury.
If the exposure is chronic, urine
levels can be obtained; 24-hour
collections are more reliable than spot
collections. It is difficult or impossible
to interpret urine samples of patients
undergoing chelation therapy, as the
therapy itself increases mercury levels
in the samples
6. Signs and Symptoms
Psychological Disturbances
Fits of anger, short term memory
loss, low self-esteem, inability to
sleep, loss of self-control,
sleepiness are some signs of
psychological disturbances.
Besides, a person may also suffer
from the loss of ability to learn new
things or things that require
memorization.
7. Oral Cavity Problems
Inflammation of the
mouth, loss of bone
around teeth, ulcerated
gums and other areas in
the mouth, darkening of
gums, taste of metal,
bleeding gums, etc.
point to a possibility of
mercury poisoning.
Digestive Tract Problems
Cramps, inflamed colon, diarrhea and
other digestive problems are also
indicative of mercury poisoning.
8. Cardiovascular Problems
Weak pulse, blood pressure changes, chest pain
or feeling of pressure in the chest area are some
cardiovascular problems associated with this
condition.
Respiratory problems
Weakness and problems with breathing,
emphysema, persistent cough are some
respiratory problems that are linked with
mercury poisoning.
Neurological Problems
Headaches, vertigo, tinnitus, twitching in
various areas of the body (eyelids, feet etc.),
may be warning signs of mercury
overexposure.
9. Treatment
Identifying and removing the source
of the mercury is crucial.
Decontamination requires removal of
clothes, washing skin with soap and
water, and flushing the eyes with
saline solution as needed. Inorganic
ingestion such as mercuric
chloride should be approached as the
ingestion of any other serious caustic.
Immediate chelation therapy is
the standard of care for a patient
showing symptoms of severe mercury
poisoning or the laboratory evidence
of a large total mercury load
10. Dental Correlation
This is indirect evidence suggesting that mercury from
dental amalgam fillings may contribute to the body
burden of mercury in the brain. The toxic levels of
mercury in human tissues have not been sufficiently
investigated and the amount of mercury in human
brain tissue from dental amalgam may or may not be
clinically significant. Nevertheless, dental amalgam
exposure should be considered in monitoring sources
of mercury accumulation in human brain tissue.
11. Dental amalgam fillings contain mercury and other metals.
Because mercury has long been recognized as poisonous to
humans, concerns about the potential of mercury poisoning
from dental amalgams have been addressed by abundant
research. Most scientific studies find no relationship between
amalgam fillings and symptoms of mercury poisoning in any
age group, although a small number of people have allergic
reactions to these fillings. Research continues in order to
expand knowledge about any potential effects of amalgam
fillings on certain populations, particularly fetuses, breast-fed
infants, and very young children.
12. Freya Koss (right) was diagnosed with
Myasthenia Gravis after being stuck
with double vision and ptotis
(drooping eyelids) after having
amalgam fillings placed.
Freya in 2002 after safe amalgam
removal and detoxification.
She is now Director of Development for
Consumers for Dental Choice.
