Mercury Poisoning

Mercury comes in three chemical forms, elemental, inorganic (Divalent) and organic (methylmercury). Each type will give rise to a rather distinct form of toxicity and symptoms. The severity of these symptoms will depend on the extent, the duration and route of exposure.

Exposure to methyl mercury will primarily produce neurological effects.

The consumption of shellfish or certain kinds of fish may put people at risk of exposure to methylmercury. If you have been exposed to organic mercury for any period of time you may experience the toxicity symptoms shown below.

Symptoms: Blindness, peripheral vision impairment, double vision, tunnel vision, pins and needles sensation, speech problems, hearing problems, lack of coordination, memory loss, walking difficulties, neuropathy, depression, numbness, parasthesia, ataxia, tremor, severe headache, hair loss, tremors, dysarthria and many forms of fatigue.

Methylmercury is readily absorbed directly into the blood stream following ingestion. The excretion rate of methylmercury is much slower than mercury of any other form. Mercury is found naturally in our environment. However, the main source of poisonings and toxins in humans and fish are a direct result of industrial pollution. Waste incinerators, mining, and coal burning plants are the main contributors of industrial mercury poisonings.

When mercury gets air born it doesn't evaporate because it is a natural solid, this allows it to settle on people, plants, and animals, then in our water supplies. While this is happening normal bacteria, that are common with soils and sediments, mix with the settling mercury and as a result convert it to methylmercury.

Most creatures that live in mercury contaminated water suffer the effects from this neurotoxin but mainly fish are affected. Fish pass through the water as the methylmercury passes through the gills; it then becomes absorbed in the body and mainly accumulates in the muscle tissue.

Elemental mercury can only be effective when inhaled, causing much of the same symptoms of organic mercury.
Inorganic mercury when ingested could potentially cause death. Inorganic mercury is typically found in disinfectants, antiseptics and fungicides.

Symptoms from inorganic mercury poisoning: Decreased urination, vomiting, muscle weakness, burning stomach, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, throat burning, mood swings, memory loss and tremors.