Mercury Toxicity Causes
Learn
- Overview
- What It Is
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Diagnosis
- Symptoms
- Prognosis
- Living With
- Complications
- User Questions
Take Action
- Screening
- Medications
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Alternative Treatment
- Care Guide
- Questions for Your Doctor
- When to Contact a Doctor
- Find a Doctor
- Resource Guide
Causes of Mercury Toxicity
Metallic mercury is the liquid metal that was once used in most thermometers. Most new thermometers are being manufactured with less toxic indicators. Mercury is also used in other common consumer products, including:
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Dental fillings
- Batteries
- Barometers
- Medical equipment (eg, blood pressure measurement instruments)
- Mercury switches in thermostats and even sneakers that light up
Mercury gas is released into the atmosphere by certain natural processes (fires, volcanic explosions). It is released in much greater amounts by the burning of fossil fuels, especially coal. Once in the atmosphere, mercury can travel for thousands of miles before finding its way into the ocean or fresh water bodies. Once in or near the water, mercury is transformed by bacteria into the chemical methylmercury. The methylmercury formed in the water and soil by bacteria may build up in the tissues of fish. Larger and older fish tend to have the highest levels of mercury.
Mercury toxicity may occur when a person is exposed to toxic amounts of mercury due to:
- Breathing airborne mercury vapors
- Eating food (usually fish or shellfish) contaminated with methylmercury
- Drinking water contaminated with mercury (a relatively rare cause of poisoning)
- Release of mercury from dental work and medical treatments
- Many dental fillings contain mercury, and under certain conditions these might release mercury vapor that could enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Removing mercury amalgam fillings during pregnancy might prove harmful because of the fetus' special risk from elevated mercury levels in mother's blood.
- Practicing religious or folk medicine rituals that include mercury
