It is frequently found in the home in glass thermometers. Elemental mercury is also referred to as mercury-zero. There are three forms of mercury circulating throughout the environment, and all three forms are toxic to humans and many other living organisms in varying degrees.Įlemental mercury, also known as quicksilver, is mercury in its metallic (solid), elemental form. Mercury, which has the chemical symbol of Hg, is one of a few elements that are liquid at room temperature and because it easily converts to gas form, it is extremely volatile. That's number one and then obviously keeping in mind what the signs and symptoms are and going to the physician earlier if you experience anything, so we can get you treated.Mercury poisoning occurs when a person has ingested, inhaled, or had skin or eye contact with the toxic (poisonous) heavy metal mercury and suffers damage to his/her nervous system and other systems of the body. "So, when you're at work, since that is the most common hazard for lead and mercury poisoning, is using personal protective equipment. “The bottom line is that attention that should be given to prevention," says Dr. Sabharwal adds, is to pay attention to your surroundings and if you are experiencing any possible symptoms, seek help immediately. If the poisoning comes from your environment or workplace, the best advice is to stay away from that environment. Sabharwal says the best way to treat mercury poisoning is to limit your exposure to the metal and limit consumption of mercury-containing seafood. Treatment can last from a few days to a few weeks depending on blood levels and how a person responds to the medication.ĭr. Mercury and lead poisoning is typically treated with chelation therapy, which involves weekly IV treatments to remove the metal from your organs. You see a lot of these symptoms that can be caused by other diseases, which is what makes it hard to diagnose, but that along with the history that the patient provides, whether it's occupational or their environment, that's what helps the provider gain a better understanding.” "Symptoms could be nausea, vomiting, headache, belly pain, diarrhea, and for mercury poisoning it could be shortness of breath, chest pain. “The symptoms are very nonspecific, which is what makes it very hard to be diagnosed," says Dr. ![]() The most affected organs are typically your kidneys and the brain. If blood levels of these toxins are extremely high, it can cause confusion and even coma. Hall says she’s experienced a range of problems including skin rashes, joint and muscle pain, dry eyes, swollen lymph nodes, acid reflux and brain fog. "And for mercury, it’s similar for people who are working in manufacturing and handle thermometers and barometers.” “That’s why people who have hobbies or as work to renovate houses, there is a higher risk of exposure to lead," says Dr. Hall believes she developed mercury and lead poisoning from renovating older homes, where she was around old paint and inhaling dust and powders from tearing down walls. It's also possible to develop mercury poisoning from eat too much fish containing mercury such as marlin and swordfish. Mercury and lead poisoning has the greatest impact on those working in manufacturing, chemical and mining industries. ![]() It depends on the type of mercury, the dose, the person’s age, the duration of exposure, and whether the exposure was inhaled, ingested or contacted by skin. However, some people are exposed to high levels of mercury. Mercury is found in the air, water and soil and may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, as well as on lungs, skin and eyes.Įxperts say that everyone is exposed to some level of mercury with most people exposed to low levels, often through ongoing or long-term contact. Lead poisoning is caused by exposure to high levels of lead and is commonly found in houses built before 1978. ![]() When you were going to school, you may have developed the belief that if you got poked with a lead pencil you would get lead poisoning, but this is actually an urban legend as lead pencils don't actually contain lead. But when these levels are present in higher levels than normal, then that's what causes the toxicity or poisoning.” ![]() "There's usually none to almost trace amounts present in our body. Dipti Sabharwal, a family practice physician for OSF HealthCare. “Mercury and lead are both elements," says Dr. So, what is mercury and lead poisoning and how common of a problem is it? Hall shared that it was likely caused “from all the gross houses,” she worked on while filming “Flip or Flop,” the home renovation series she hosted with her ex-husband Tarek El Moussa for 10 years. HGTV star Christina Hall recently revealed she has been diagnosed with mercury and lead poisoning.
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