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DESCRIBE MERCURY
EXPLAIN THE MECHANISM OF TOXICITY
DESCRIBE CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS STRATEGIES
LIST MOST POSSIBLE SOURCES OF EXPOSURE
REVIEW MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND TREATMENT
DISCUSS APPLICABLE MONITORING PARAMETERS
WHAT IS MERCURY?
GREEK NAME, HYDRARGYRUM, WHICH MEANS LIQUID SILVER,
AND IS ALSO NAMED QUICK SILVER DUE TO ITS FAST MOVING
NATURE
-Liquid at room temperature -Water soluble salts -The main organic forms are
-Vaporizes easily -Primarily Mercuric Chloride methyl, ethyl and
-Bioaccumulates -About 10% of mercury salt phenylmercury
-Fat Soluble is absorbed -Methylmercury has a half-
-Solid state is not well - Very caustic to the GI tract life in blood of 40-50 days
absorbed in the - Half live is about 40 days -extremely neurotoxic
gastrointestinal tract - Toxic to kidney and CNS (Most common mercury
-Vapor form easily crosses toxicity).
pulmonary alveolar
membranes to the circulatory
system
**Inhalation in Fish
occupational settings Vaccines
Mercury released from Batteries
Dental Amalgams Light bulbs
fillings Pesticides (rat poisoning)
Blood Pressure gauges Skin-lightening creams and
Thermometers soap
Old cans of latex paints
Inhalation (Lungs)
Acute exposure to high levels of elemental mercury vapor may
result in systemic toxicite causing inflammation of the lungs,
difficulty breathing, SOB, chest pain, and dry cough
Dermal (Skin)
Rash or inflammation of the skin (contact dermatitis)
Acute contact with the skin does not normally result in systemic
toxicity.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Mercury (Lung Damaging Agent)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750021.html MAy 26, 2015
Signs/Symptoms
Neurologic Inhalation
Brain damage Dyspnea
Impaired cognitive skills SOB
Movement Disorders / Muscle Tremors Chemical Pneumonitis
Mental Deterioration Chest Pain
Visual disturbances Dry cough
Speech and hearing problems Dermal
Sympathomimetic Effects Hypersensitivity
(Diaphoresis, HR, Bronchodilation) reactions
GI Tract Bloodstream
N/V/D Renal Failure
Abdominal Pain Abortion
Metallic taste
intestinal Ulceration
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Mercury (Lung Damaging Agent)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750021.html MAy 26, 2015
Mercury Toxicity Clinical Presentation. David A Olson. Medscape http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1175560-clinical October 23, 2015
Hypersensitivity reaction
body rash
Puffy skin
Pinkish skin
painful area
perspiring area
peeling hands and feet
H HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS
A ABORTION
R RENAL FAILURE (WITH BRAIN DAMAGE)
I INTESTINAL ULCERATION
S SYMPATHOMIMETIC EFFECTS
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Mercury (Lung Damaging Agent)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750021.html MAy 26, 2015
Mercury Toxicity Clinical Presentation. David A Olson. Medscape
FATAL PERIOD
Antidote
If poison has been absorbed,
British Anti-Lewisite (BAL)
and Penicillamine derivates (Cuprimine)
are effective antidotes.
Health Effect Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Mercury Compound. https://www.epa.gov/haps/health-effects-notebook-
hazardous-air-pollutants October 4, 2016
Monitoring/Follow UP
Follow-up to make sure that the mercury source of
poisoning is completely removed.