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Signs of mercury poisoning3/24/2024 ![]() ![]() ![]() The acute presentation can include ashen-gray mucous membranes secondary to precipitation of mercuric salts, hematochezia, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and hypovolemic shock. Its corrosive properties account for most of the acute signs and symptoms of inorganic mercury or mercuric salt toxicity. Inorganic mercury or mercuric salt exposure mainly occurs through the oral and gastrointestinal tract. Other possible symptoms include stomatitis, lethargy, confusion, and vomiting. Initial signs and symptoms, such as fever, chills, shortness of breath, metallic taste, and pleuritic chest pain, may be confused with metal-fume fever, which is caused by cadmium exposure. Exposure to organic mercury leads to chronic toxicity and, occasionally, acute toxicity.Īcute exposure caused by inhaled elemental mercury can lead to pulmonary symptoms. ![]() Acute toxicity usually results from the inhalation of elemental mercury or ingestion of inorganic mercury. Symptoms vary, depending on the nature of the exposure, the intensity of the exposure, and the chemical form. Even with an asymptomatic patient, maternal exposure can lead to spontaneous abortion or retardation. Organic mercurials also cross the blood brain barrier and placenta and penetrate erythrocytes, attributing to neurological symptoms, teratogenic effects, and high blood-to-plasma ratio.Īll forms of mercury are toxic to the fetus, but methylmercury most readily passes through the placenta. Alkyl organic mercury has high lipid solubility and is distributed uniformly throughout the body, accumulating in the brain, kidney, liver, hair, and skin. The short chain alkyl mercurials are readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and remain stable in their initial forms. Once absorbed, the aryl and long chain alkyl compounds are converted to their inorganic forms and possess similar toxic properties to inorganic mercury. Organic mercurials are absorbed more completely from the gastrointestinal tract than are inorganic salts. Organic mercury can be found in three forms, aryl and short and long chain alkyl compounds. Long-term dermal exposure to inorganic mercury may also lead to toxicity. Although poor lipid solubility limits penetration of the central nervous system, slow elimination and chronic exposure allow significant accumulation of mercuric ions in the central nervous system and subsequent toxicity. It accumulates mostly in the kidney, causing significant renal damage. It enters the body orally or dermally and is absorbed at a rate of 10 percent of whatever is ingested. Inorganic mercury, found mostly in mercuric salt, is highly toxic and corrosive. ![]() Damage to the lining of the mouth and lungs can also occur from exposure to lower levels of mercury vapor over longer periods (for example, in some occupations where workers were exposed to mercury for many years). Other effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or heart rate, skin rashes, and eye irritation. Short-term exposure (hours) to high levels of metallic mercury vapor in the air can damage the lining of the mouth and irritate the lungs and airways, causing tightness of the chest, a burning sensation in the lungs, and coughing. Elemental mercury is not well absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and, therefore, when ingested, is only mildly toxic. Elemental mercury as a vapor can penetrate the central nervous system, where it is ionized and trapped, attributing to its significant toxic effects. Small amounts of non-oxidized elemental mercury continue to persist and account for central nervous system toxicity. Once it is inhaled, elemental mercury mostly converts to an inorganic divalent or mercuric form by catalase in the erythrocytes. Its lipid-soluble property allows for easy passage through the alveoli into the bloodstream and red blood cells. Mercury poisoning can result from vapor inhalation, ingestion, injection, or absorption through the skin.Įlemental mercury can be in liquid form, which easily vaporizes at room temperature and is well absorbed (80 percent) through inhalation. There is a difference, however, in how it is absorbed, the clinical signs and symptoms, and the response to treatment modalities. High mercury exposure results in permanent nervous system and kidney damage. Organic mercury can be found in long and short alkyl and aryl compounds. The inorganic form can be further divided into elemental mercury and mercuric salts. It is found in organic and inorganic forms. Mercury is naturally occurring and is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.
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