What are the hazards of mercury?

When heated it becomes a colorless, odorless gas. Some of the health effects exposure to mercury may cause include: irritation to the eyes, skin, and stomach; cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, insomnia, irritability, indecision, headache, weakness or exhaustion, and weight loss.

Is mercury hazardous or toxic?

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: Elemental mercury is toxic primarily through inhalation of mercury vapors. It is only slowly absorbed through the skin, although it may cause skin and eye irritation. Elemental mercury droplets may be absorbed through eye contact.

How is mercury toxic to the environment?

Mercury is a persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic pollutant. When released into the environment, it accumulates in water laid sediments where it converts into toxic methylmercury and enters the food chain.

What level of mercury is toxic?

When the urine mercury concentration exceeds 100 μg/L, neurological symptoms can develop, and the level of 800 μg/L or above can be fatal.

What are the hazards associated with Mercury?

Health Hazards of the Inorganic Salts of Mercury: There are chances of damage of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, kidney etc. with greater exposure to inorganic mercury. High exposure to inorganic mercury may generate symptoms like skin rashes and dermatitis, memory loss, mental disturbances, muscle weakness, mood swings.

Are there any dangers of using mercury?

Effects of mercury poisoning can include: Cognitive and behavioral disabilities Memory problems Coordination problems Visual-spatial impairment Lung damage (if inhaled) Gastrointestinal damage (if ingested) Kidney damage (at extremely high doses) Death (at extremely high doses)

What are the hazards of using the element mercury?

If you have been in contact with mercury and experience the following, immediately call or visit a doctor: Decreased peripheral vision and/or hearing Impaired speech Muscle weakness “Pins and needles” sensation Reduced motor coordination

Why is Mercury hazardous to your health?

Mercury disrupts absorption and distribution of many key nutrients including calcium, zinc, trace minerals selenium and rubidium, plus Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Disruption of these pathways can cause severe psychiatric symptoms as well as debilitation of immune response.