Table of Contents
How does mercury affect the human body?
Human health effects of mercury Mercury and its compounds affect the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver and can disturb immune processes; cause tremors, impaired vision and hearing, paralysis, insomnia and emotional instability.
Can touching mercury harm you?
Mercury is a very toxic or poisonous substance that people can be exposed to in several ways. If it is swallowed, like from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you.
What is so bad about mercury?
Elemental and methylmercury are toxic to the central and peripheral nervous systems. The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal.
What is Mad Hatter’s Disease?
Mad hatter disease is a form of chronic mercury poisoning. Depending on the level of exposure, it can cause symptoms like vomiting, skin rashes, tremors, twitching, and excitability. The condition is called “mad hatter disease” because it commonly affected hat makers in the 18th to 20th centuries.
What does mercury do to the brain?
Many studies show that high exposure to mercury induces changes in the central nervous system, potentially resulting in irritability, fatigue, behavioral changes, tremors, headaches, hearing and cognitive loss, dysarthria, incoordination, hallucinations, and death.
What effects does Mercury have on the body?
Effects of mercury on the body can be serious even when you are exposed to inorganic mercury. The list includes mood swings, muscle weakness, memory loss, skin rashes, and mental disturbances. Some people end up damaging their kidneys when they continue to drink water contaminated with inorganic mercury for many years.
How does Mercury cause brain damage?
The effects of mercury toxicity include disruption of the central nervous system and neurotransmitters and stimulation of neurotoxins, resulting in damage to the brain (56). For developing fetuses and young children, mercury can disrupt brain development and cause the destruction of cell components.
How dangerous is Mercury?
Mercury is a neurotoxin and can cause permanent damage to the human nervous system. Prolonged exposure can also cause damage the digestive system, kidneys, and lungs and can lead to death. Mercury poisoning is particularly dangerous to developing fetuses, nursing babies, and young children.
Is Mercury harmful to humans?
Mercury is harmful to both animals and humans. Children are more susceptible to mercury poisoning than adults. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury over a long period may cause negative health effects including damage to the brain, kidney, lungs, and the developing fetus.