Mercury is one for the body toxic heavy metal. Especially when metallic mercury starts to evaporate at room temperature, highly toxic vapors are generated that are absorbed through breathing and are distributed throughout the body.
In recent decades the use of mercury in medical products has been increasingly reduced and in some cases even banned. Nonetheless, they can still be found Significant amounts of mercury, especially in older productswhich, with both acute and chronic exposure, can cause severe damage to the human body.
There are many causes of mercury poisoning. Mercury finds among other things Use in older thermometers (used regularly until the 1970s / 80s) and in Energy saving lamps. Breaking the glass and releasing the mercury content can cause Absorption of toxic mercury gases come into the body. In addition, large amounts of mercury gases are generated when burning coal, extracting natural gas and manufacturing various products in industry.
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Last but not least, mercury was also used for medical devices. As an additive in liquid vaccines (thiomersal), it served as a preservative for years, until it was increasingly banned in the 2000s. As Ingredient of amalgam it is used for Filling of dental seals. The long-term effect of these amalgam seals on humans is extremely controversial.
Also through the regular and heavy consumption of fish mercury poisoning can be triggered in individual cases. These absorb the organic mercury residues through the water and form highly toxic breakdown products (methyl mercury).
In the last few centuries Mercury for temperature measurement in clinical thermometers used. The temperature-dependent expansion of mercury is used here. There is about 1 gram of mercury in a clinical thermometer. If the glass of the clinical thermometer is broken, there is a risk of the mercury being released, which evaporates in small doses to form highly toxic fumes even at room temperature. However, research and studies have shown that this Doses so small are that there is no danger to the patient from inhalation.
$config[ads_text2] not foundFor safety reasons, the sale of thermometers containing mercury was banned in the European Union in 2009. Instead, thermometers that work with alcohols are increasingly being used.
At amalgam it is a loose combination of several heavy metals. Besides mercury (50% of the content) it contains Silver, tin and copper. Although the effect of the amalgam's mercury on the human body is controversial, it finds Application for dental fillings (Seals) in dentistry. Research has shown that the amalgam slowly dissolves over the years. After 10 years there is only about 50% of the amount of mercury left in the seal.
The effect of the mercury released and vaporized at body temperature is, however, controversial and the subject of numerous further studies. So far no danger of poisoning by the mercury has been proven. For security reasons, the The use of amalgam fillings in children, adolescents, women of childbearing age and in patients with kidney disease has been banned since 1995. Dental fillings that are frequently used as alternatives (composite, ormocere) have a significantly shorter shelf life than amalgam and must be changed more frequently.
Most of the energy saving lamps used today contain mercury. Through a Breaking the lamp When the mercury is released, there is also a risk of the formation of highly toxic mercury gases. However, since the quantities are small, one is through single inhalation of these vapors poses no danger to humans. For safety reasons, small children and animals should be removed from the vicinity of the source of mercury, as this mainly spreads in the area of the ground and these have an increased risk of poisoning.
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$config[ads_text3] not foundThe disposal of the quantities of mercury should be carried out with specially developed suction devices. If necessary, the quantities can first be swept into an airtight glass. In addition, it is important to ensure that there is extensive ventilation.
When several investigations were made increased levels of mercury in tuna proven. In none of these studies, however, was the EU limit value exceeded, above which there is a risk to humans if consumed.
Tuna absorb organic mercury from the water. Small amounts of the mercury enter rivers and seas via the wastewater from various factories. In the body of the tuna, very toxic intermediate products of mercury are formed for humans.
For safety reasons, tuna should not be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as the amount of mercury can also spread through the placenta into the embryo's body.
For decades the mercury-containing Preservative thiomersal also for liquid vaccines used. According to numerous studies, however, no connection between the vaccines and the possible occurrence of (neurological) symptoms could be established. However, since possible damage cannot be ruled out, the Removed mercury-containing substances from vaccines since the 2000s.
The amount of mercury that causes symptoms to develop in patients varies widely. Due to the very broad spectrum of symptoms, many different symptoms can also occur.
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Patients with a acute mercury poisoning often complain about Nausea, vomiting and an altered taste in the mouth. This is often described as metallic. In addition, cramp-like abdominal pain can occur. Also Headache, dizziness and persistent fatigue are possible. Persistent high concentrations of mercury can lead to further inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (gastroenteritis), which is among other things through persistent abdominal pain manifest. Severe damage to the kidneys also occurs with chronically elevated mercury concentrations. Without treatment and therapy, this kidney damage and the resulting loss of protein and electrolytes can lead to death within a few days.
Chronic mercury poisoning (also often referred to as Minamata disease in Japan) manifests itself mainly through neurological symptoms.
Chronic mercury poisoning results in a variety of symptoms in the brain area. The quantities of mercury can penetrate the blood into the brain and accumulate there. They act as strong neurotoxin and inhibit signal transmission.
The patient has numerous symptoms. Next Convulsionsthat express themselves through trembling writing are Paralysis and difficulty concentrating frequently. Poor short-term memory, personality disorders and tingling in the skin area have also been reported in chronic mercury poisoning.
In addition to other heavy metals, mercury can also lead to hair loss. However, this one will very rarely attributed to a possible mercury poisoning. After spreading in the body, the amounts of mercury also accumulate in the hair area. They interfere with the further development and maturation of the hair, which manifests itself as increasing hair loss. Hair loss often sets in important early warning symptom that can be diagnosed before the onset of other symptoms.
Untreated can cause mercury poisoning with high levels of mercury lead to death within a few days. Different drugs are available for therapy. This makes use of the principle that heavy metals can be bound by various drugs (so-called complexing agents) in the body and thus better excreted.
$config[ads_text1] not foundThe is used to treat acute mercury poisoning in which the mercury has not yet been absorbed by the body and is in the bloodstream medicinal charcoal. By binding to the amount of mercury, the mercury is excreted from the body through the stool.
However, if the mercury is already in the human bloodstream, other substances are used: BAL (Dimercaprol), D-penicillamine. BAL (Dimercaprol) is injected into the muscle in large excess. It binds the mercury in the bodywhich cancels out its toxic effects and allows it to be excreted. The same applies to D-penicillamine, which is administered via a vein or in the form of tablets.
As part of therapy with these drugs, numerous and sometimes also serious side effects occur. Symptomatic treatment is often given at the same time with many other medications (e.g. for nausea).
For the detection of a mercury poisoning, several examination methods are available depending on the time and amount of the poisoning as well as the structure of the mercury (organic, inorganic). To the Proof of mercury serve among other things Urine, blood or, in rare cases, hair samples.
One of the most common researches is the DMPS test. For the detection of the mercury content the Comparison of 24-hour urine collection before and after administration of DMPS. DMPS is used to mobilize and flush out heavy metals.
With the help of blood samples, statements can be made about current or recent exposure to mercury. By incorporating organic mercury into the hair roots, a hair sample can be used to determine the mercury exposure over the past three months.
The consequences of mercury poisoning depend on the duration and the amount of mercury in the body. The longer the poisoning continues without treatment, the more severe the symptoms mentioned above become. In addition to severe damage to the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, the liver can also be damaged. In extreme cases, it can lead to persistent, cramp-like abdominal pain and a failure of kidney function.
The possible spread of mercury via the placenta and umbilical vein to the embryo can also lead to severe disabilities and developmental disorders. An unfulfilled desire to have children, menstrual disorders and an increased miscarriage rate can also be the result of severe mercury poisoning.
