LIQUID MERCURY: AN ATTRACTIVE POISON

Sherlita Amler

Senior Fellow Division of Toxicology ATSDR, USA

 

 

Liquid mercury has fascinated people for thousands of years, and remains an attractive but dangerous poison. Elemental mercury is commonly used in electrical switches, fluorescent and mercury vapor lamps, thermometers, barometers, indoor gas meter regulators, equipment gauges, and hospital equipment such blood pressure monitors, esophageal dilators, and weighted feeding tubes. Elemental mercury is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but is readily absorbed by the lungs. Children are especially vulnerable to mercury toxicity. Acute exposure may result in predominately respiratory symptoms and chronic exposure primarily affects the nervous system and kidneys. Urine analysis by cold vapor atomic adsorption is the most reliable measure of chronic exposure. Principles of treatment include interrupting exposure, eliminating mercury from the body, and prevention of further exposure to mercury through appropriate cleanup.

 

 
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