April 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Mercury |
(Mercurio) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about mercury. For more information,
you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737.
This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous
substances and their health effects. This information is important
because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure
to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,
how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether
other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to mercury
occurs from breathing contaminated air, ingesting contaminated
water and food, and having dental and medical treatments.
Mercury, at high levels, may damage the brain, kidneys,
and developing fetus. This chemical has been found in
at least 714 of 1,467 National Priorities List sites identified
by the Environmental Protection Agency. |
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What
is mercury? |
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal
which has several forms. The metallic mercury is a shiny,
silver-white, odorless liquid. If heated, it is a colorless,
odorless gas.
Mercury combines with other elements,
such as chlorine, sulfur, or oxygen, to form inorganic mercury
compounds or "salts," which are usually white powders or crystals.
Mercury also combines with carbon to make organic mercury
compounds. The most common one, methylmercury, is produced
mainly by microscopic organisms in the water and soil. More
mercury in the environment can increase the amounts of methylmercury
that these small organisms make.
Metallic mercury is used to produce chlorine
gas and caustic soda, and is also used in thermometers, dental
fillings, and batteries. Mercury salts are sometimes used
in skin lightening creams and as antiseptic creams and ointments.
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What
happens to mercury when it enters the environment? |
- Inorganic mercury (metallic mercury and inorganic mercury
compounds) enters the air from mining ore deposits, burning
coal and waste, and from manufacturing plants.
- It enters the water or soil from natural deposits, disposal
of wastes, and volcanic activity.
- Methylmercury may be formed in water and soil by small
organisms called bacteria.
- Methylmercury builds up in the tissues of fish. Larger
and older fish tend to have the highest levels of mercury.
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How
might I be exposed to mercury? |
- Eating fish or shellfish contaminated with methylmercury.
- Breathing vapors in air from spills, incinerators, and
industries that burn mercury-containing fuels.
- Release of mercury from dental work and medical treatments.
- Breathing contaminated workplace air or skin contact during
use in the workplace (dental, health services, chemical,
and other industries that use mercury).
- Practicing rituals that include mercury.
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How
can mercury affect my health? |
The nervous system is very sensitive
to all forms of mercury. Methylmercury and metallic mercury
vapors are more harmful than other forms, because more mercury
in these forms reaches the brain. Exposure to high levels
of metallic, inorganic, or organic mercury can permanently
damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. Effects on
brain functioning may result in irritability, shyness, tremors,
changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems.
Short-term exposure to high levels of
metallic mercury vapors may cause effects including lung damage,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or
heart rate, skin rashes, and eye irritation.
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How
likely is mercury to cause cancer? |
There are inadequate human cancer data
available for all forms of mercury. Mercuric chloride has
caused increases in several types of tumors in rats and mice,
and methylmercury has caused kidney tumors in male mice. The
EPA has determined that mercuric chloride and methylmercury
are possible human carcinogens.
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How
does mercury affect children? |
Very young children are more sensitive
to mercury than adults. Mercury in the mother's body passes
to the fetus and may accumulate there. It can also can pass
to a nursing infant through breast milk. However, the benefits
of breast feeding may be greater than the possible adverse
effects of mercury in breast milk.
Mercury's harmful effects that may be
passed from the mother to the fetus include brain damage,
mental retardation, incoordination, blindness, seizures, and
inability to speak. Children poisoned by mercury may develop
problems of their nervous and digestive systems, and kidney
damage.
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How
can families reduce the risk of exposure to mercury? |
Carefully handle and dispose of products
that contain mercury, such as thermometers or fluorescent
light bulbs. Do not vacuum up spilled mercury, because it
will vaporize and increase exposure. If a large amount of
mercury has been spilled, contact your health department.
Teach children not to play with shiny, silver liquids.
Properly dispose of older medicines that
contain mercury. Keep all mercury-containing medicines away
from children.
Pregnant women and children should keep
away from rooms where liquid mercury has been used.
Learn about wildlife and fish advisories
in your area from your public health or natural resources
department.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to mercury? |
Tests are available to measure mercury
levels in the body. Blood or urine samples are used to test
for exposure to metallic mercury and to inorganic forms of
mercury. Mercury in whole blood or in scalp hair is measured
to determine exposure to methylmercury. Your doctor can take
samples and send them to a testing laboratory.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA has set a limit of 2 parts of
mercury per billion parts of drinking water (2 ppb).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has set a maximum permissible level of 1 part of methylmercury
in a million parts of seafood (1 ppm).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has set limits of 0.1 milligram of organic mercury
per cubic meter of workplace air (0.1 mg/m³) and 0.05
mg/m³ of metallic mercury vapor for 8-hour shifts and
40-hour work weeks.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1999. Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents.
Volume III Medical Management Guidelines for Acute
Chemical Exposures: Mercury. Atlanta,
GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1999. Toxicological
Profile for mercury. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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