Laboratory Tests: Blood, urine and hair can be tested for mercury.įor more information visit the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) websites for Mercury ATSDR-Mercury These symptoms might include paresthesias, headaches, ataxia, dysarthria (motor speech disorder), visual field constriction, blindness, and hearing impairment. Delayed toxicity symptoms (> 1 month) are typical of organic mercury poisoning and usually involve the central nervous system.

For inorganic mercury, symptoms might include profuse vomiting and diarrhea that is often bloody, followed by hypovolemic shock, oliguric (decreased urine production) renal failure, and possibly death. For elemental mercury, acute toxicity might result in fever, fatigue, and clinical signs of pneumonitis. Health Effects: The signs and symptoms of acute exposure to mercury may vary depending on the form of mercury (elemental or inorganic). Reporting: For reporting mercury exposure, follow guidelines on Surveillance and Investigation Guidance website It is also used in the paint industry, neon signs, outdoor lighting, cameras, electrical switches, and some batteries.

Some folk medicines and cosmetics contain mercury. These conditions are hazardous even without touching the mercury because it produces mercury vapors. Mercury exposure can occur at home or even in a hospital setting through broken thermometers and blood pressure monitors. Dental amalgam fillings and eating fish that have been exposed to mercury are the main cause of mercury poisoning. Sources: Exposure to mercury can occur by any method. There are three forms of mercury (elemental, organic & inorganic) with distinct characteristics and health effects on toxic exposures. Mercury poisoning is the condition caused by exposure to mercury in a high enough dose to produce health effects.

Signs of mercury poisoning