![]() Mercury Is Especially Dangerous To Pregnant WomenĬhildren of women who consumed large amounts of contaminated fish during pregnancy are at highest risk of mercury-related developmental problems. Elemental (also known as metallic) mercury, the shiny silver-white liquid found in some thermometers and switches, is most dangerous when inhaled and must be handled with care. Mercury vapors can pass easily from the lungs to the bloodstream. Depending on the type and amount, exposures to mercury can damage the nervous system, kidneys, liver and immune system.īreathing mercury vapors can harm the nervous system, lungs and kidneys. characteristics of the person (age and health)Īlthough some forms of mercury are more dangerous than others, all are toxic.route of exposure (eating, breathing, injecting, touching).Whether exposure to mercury will harm a person's health depends on several factors including: Other exposures may result from using or disposing of products containing mercury. The most common way people in the United States are exposed to mercury is by eating fish containing methylmercury - a form of mercury. Mercury has been a very useful element throughout history. A less common exposure to mercury is when elemental mercury or products containing elemental mercury break and release mercury vapors into the air. ![]() Mercury also may enter water bodies through a direct discharge of industrial waste or municipal sewage. In addition, many common products that we use every day contain mercury and may contaminate the environment when disposed of in trash, burned or poured down a drain. Once in the air, mercury falls to the ground with rain, sleet and snow, landing on soil or water bodies and causing contamination. ![]() Human activities, such as burning coal, oil and natural gas, burning household trash, and mining ore deposits, add mercury to the environment. Mercury then circulates in the atmosphere and is redistributed throughout the environment. It becomes airborne when rocks erode, volcanoes erupt and soil decomposes. Mercury is released into the environment from many sources. People can be exposed to mercury through skin contact, by eating contaminated fish or by breathing mercury vapors that are invisible and odorless. Exposure to mercury, even small amounts, may cause serious health problems. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that has several forms.
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