Mercury toxicity

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Mercury toxicity refers to the health hazards of mercury, the liquid metal used in glass thermometers, dental fillings, and the vaccine preservative Thiomersal. There has been a campaign in the U.S. to ban mercury altogether. Some medical groups have begun compliance.

1 Effects
2 Sources of exposure
3 Regulations
4 Events
5 See also

[edit] Effects

Mercury, at high levels, may damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry} AAP

[edit] Sources of exposure

Exposure to mercury can occur 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. (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry}
Mercury can be an indoor air pollutant, for example, after spills of elemental mercury in the home; however, industry emissions with resulting ambient air pollution remain the most important source of inhaled mercury. AAP
In the United States, the largest source of atmospheric mercury vapor is from burning fossil fuels, especially high-sulfur coal. Other sources include chloralkali production (a process that uses mercury in electrolysis of salt to produce hydrogen chloride and sodium hydroxide, chlorine, caustic soda, bleach, and other products), mercury mining and smelting, waste incinerators (especially medical waste), crematoriums, and volcanoes. AAP
Consumption of fish may cause exposure to mercury. The AAP advises that the risks of exposure to methylmercury from fish have to be balanced with the health benefits of eating fish. Fish is a source of high-quality protein as well as unsaturated fatty acids and other beneficial nutrients. For some populations, locally caught fish may be the only good alternative for a nutritious diet. [1]

[edit] Regulations

Government and private efforts have been made to avoid common hazards, and also to ban mercury altogether.

There have been growing efforts to limit exposure from all sources. For children, these efforts have centered on reducing mercury exposure in its organic form by limiting consumption of contaminated fish such as tuna and swordfish, and fish caught from mercury-contaminated waters. (AAP advocacy)
As a precautionary measure, thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative is being eliminated from vaccines as quickly as manufacturers can alter their production processes and obtain FDA approval. (AAP advocacy)
AAP recommends that pediatricians stop using all mercury-containing devices, including thermometers, and encourage parents to do the same. (AAP advocacy)

[edit] Events

In Minamata Bay, Japan, in the 1950s, a factory discharged large quantities of a mercury catalyst into the bay. There were 41 deaths and at least 30 cases of profound brain injury in infants born to mothers who ingested contaminated fish during pregnancy.