What to Know About Mercury Poisoning

Exposure to low levels of mercury is common and doesn’t always cause illness. However, exposure to high enough levels can cause mercury poisoning. Treatment can help alleviate the effects of poisoning. Mercury is a natural element that is present in the air, soil, and water. Industrial processes also cause more mercury to be in our surrounding environment.

If you have a high level of exposure, you may develop mercury poisoning, also known as mercury toxicity. This can affect many systems of the body.

This article discusses mercury poisoning symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. It also explains the treatment, outlook, and prevention of mercury poisoning.

Mercury poisoning symptoms can vary widely, as mercury poisoning can affect multiple body systems.

Some of these symptoms may be delayed and appear weeks or months Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source after exposure to mercury. Additionally, mercury poisoning symptoms can range from unnoticeable or subtle to severe.

Mercury poisoning symptoms can include:

• shortness of breath or coughing
• headache
• fatigue, weakness, and drowsiness
• fever
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• metallic taste in the mouth
• producing more saliva or drooling
• changes in vision or blindness
• itching or rashes
• hair, nail, and tooth weakness or loss
• muscle weakness
• movement disorders, which may cause difficulty moving or coordinating your body

If you consume mercury orally, you may also experience:

• swelling or gray discoloration of the oral mucosa, which are the surfaces inside the mouth such as the gums
• burning feeling in the mouth
• abdominal pain
• bloody diarrhea
• loose teeth
• tremors or shaking
• proteinuria, high levels of protein in the urine
• shock, which may cause:
  • paleness or skin discoloration
  • sweating
  • fast pulse or breathing

Some people may also develop neurological symptoms, such as:

• memory loss
• mood changes
• restlessness or other behavior changes
• paresthesia, which is a burning or prickling sensation in the skin

Mercury poisoning can lead Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source to a condition known as acrodynia or pink disease. This is a reaction to chronic mercury exposure, and can cause symptoms such as:

• discoloration of the hands and feet, which may appear pinkish or reddish
• pain and paresthesia in the hands and feet
• sensitivity to light
• increased sweating
• decreased appetite
• irritability and other mood changes
• apathy, meaning a decrease in interest

Mercury poisoning can also lead to other secondary conditions as a result, for example:

• respiratory distress or failure
• dementia
• kidney conditions, such as acute tubular necrosis and nephrotic syndrome
• hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and gastrointestinal distress

Read more about the symptoms of acute tubular necrosis and nephrotic syndrome.

High-level exposure to mercury causes illness. This is because mercury is a neurotoxin, a substance that changes the healthy activity of the nervous system. Mercury is also Trusted Source World Health Organization Highly respected international organization Go to source corrosive, meaning it can damage whatever it comes into contact with, including the tissues of the body.

Mercury poisoning can develop due to:

• breathing it in
• consuming it orally, through the mouth
• contacting it with the skin

Examples of how this may happen include:

• breathing in mercury vapor or burning products containing mercury, such as during processes like gold extraction
• being exposed in the womb if someone ate fish or shellfish while pregnant
• using Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source unregulated skin care products or products from abroad
• breathing in or having contact with mercury that has been released from a container or broken product, such as from:
  • thermometers
  • other devices such as thermostats and electrical switches
  • jewelry
  • dental fillings

Mercury can produce an invisible vapor that does not smell, leading to some people accidentally breathing it in.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that the most common way people in the United States are exposed to mercury is by eating fish containing mercury.

Not everyone who is exposed to mercury develops mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning is most likely Trusted Source World Health Organization Highly respected international organization Go to source to occur if you have exposure to high levels of mercury, either at once or due to exposure over time.

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that whether you develop mercury poisoning can depend on several factors. These factors may also affect the severity of your poisoning and can include:

• the type of mercury you were exposed to
• the dose
• your age
• the duration of exposure
• the method of exposure, such as by breathing it in or consuming it

People that may be more susceptible to mercury poisoning include:

• fetuses and infants, as their brains are still developing
• people who have regular exposure to higher levels of mercury, such as:
  • people who eat a lot of fish
  • people who work around mercury

The diagnostic process may begin with a doctor reviewing your symptoms and medical history. They may also perform a physical exam. It is helpful to inform your doctor if you suspect you have had mercury exposure in the previous months.

Other methods and tests to help diagnose mercury poisoning or rule out other conditions include:

• imaging scans such as a chest radiograph
• urine tests, such as a 24-hour urine collection
• blood tests

Treatment can vary depending on factors such as how you are exposed and what kind of mercury you are exposed to.

General treatments can include Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source :

• oxygen therapy
• IV fluids administered through a vein
• decontamination, such as by using:
  • medications such as dimercaprol (BAL) and oral succimer (Chemet, Merative, Micromedex)
  • bowel irrigation
  • charcoal supplements
  • selenium shampoos Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source for hair and body exposure

Your medical team may provide additional treatments to address any other effects the mercury has had. For example, they may recommend dialysis if you experience kidney damage.

Another key part of treatment is making sure you are no longer exposed to mercury. This can include:

• properly decontaminating the site where you were exposed to mercury, such as by hiring professionals in toxic cleanup
• if possible, changing jobs if you were exposed at work
• reducing your consumption of fish and seafood

The outlook with mercury poisoning can vary. It may also depend on the level and severity of your exposure.

Mild symptoms can heal Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source over time. By contrast, more severe cases can lead to effects such as:

• permanent organ damage
• permanent neurological symptoms
• long-term developmental delays or differences
• infertility
• disability
• coma
• death

Fetuses and young children may be more susceptible to severe effects of mercury poisoning.

However, your outlook with mercury poisoning can be highly individual. Prompt diagnosis and treatment may also improve your outcome.

Contact your doctor for personal advice on your treatment and outlook.

Not all mercury exposure can be preventable. However, ways to reduce the risk of poisoning can include:

• avoiding purchasing products and devices containing mercury, such as mercury-based thermometers or jewelry
• following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source fish and seafood serving guidelines for children, adults, and people who are pregnant or nursing
• checking fish advisories, especially if you fish your own food
• asking your doctor about mercury testing before trying to conceive
• never touching mercury or surfaces that have had contact with mercury
• washing your hands immediately if you think you may have been exposed to mercury
• not using any products that are unregulated by the FDA, such as Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source skin care products that are manufactured abroad and sold illegally
• not using any products containing mercury, which may use the following words on the label to refer to mercury:
  • “mercury”
  • “mercurous chloride”
  • “calomel”
  • “mercuric” or “mercurio”

The EPA also provides step-by-step guidance on how to clean up mercury spills safely.

Mercury poisoning occurs due to breathing in, consuming, or touching mercury. You may be more likely to develop mercury poisoning if you have a high level of exposure at once or added up over time.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning may not develop immediately and can involve many different body systems. Examples of symptoms include difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, and a burning sensation in the mouth.

Treatment for mercury poisoning involves decontaminating the body and addressing any secondary effects.

Call 911 for any suspected symptoms of mercury poisoning or after possible exposure to mercury.