2023-06-24 09:30:25
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Mercury is a heavy metal that comes in liquid form at room temperature. It has a silver color and a very low melting point. It is also known for its toxicity, which varies depending on the chemical form in which it occurs. What are the risks if we come into contact with liquid mercury? How to explain that some people were not seriously poisoned by mercury?
The properties of mercury
Mercury has a viscosity close to that of milk or water, but its density is 13 times higher than that of water. Thus, a few drops of mercury weigh much heavier than one would think.
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Mercury exists in different forms in the environment, some organic and some inorganic. These forms have very different chemical characteristics, which influence their level of danger.
Elemental mercury can cause health problems if ingested in relatively high doses. Methylmercury, an organic form of mercury, is hundreds of times more harmful than elemental mercury.
Skin contact with mercury is not so dangerous
Elemental mercury is poorly absorbed by the skin, which acts as a barrier to prevent substances from entering or leaving the body unchecked. It is absorbed less than by the intestines, which are the most efficient organs for absorbing substances.
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Thus, touching mercury with your hands is not as risky as one might think. Only a small amount of mercury can pass through the skin, limiting toxic effects.
However, mercury is not without danger. It can be very dangerous depending on how it enters the body and what form it is in. The toxicity of mercury therefore depends on the route of exposure and the type of compound.
The Most Dangerous Exposure Routes to Mercury
The digestive tract is one of the most dangerous for methylmercury, which can be found in foods contaminated with this substance.
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The respiratory tract is most dangerous for elemental mercury, which can vaporize. Inhalation of its vapors can have serious consequences on the nervous system and can also damage the lungs and other organs.
The transplacental route is also very dangerous for the fetus, which is particularly sensitive to the toxicity of mercury. The newborn or fetus often dies shortly following birth, and in most cases it survives, it has abnormalities of the nervous system.
The harmful effects of mercury
Ingestion of mercury can be fatal. This is what happened in Minamata, Japan, where more than 50,000 people suffered from acute mercury poisoning and large numbers of people died during the first half of the 20th century. This disaster was caused by the release of methylmercury into Minamata Bay by a chemical company.
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Mercury and its derivatives affect the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as the kidneys. They can cause cognitive and motor impairment, kidney failure, tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, headaches and seizures.
Mercury toxicity can also lower intelligence quotient. Symptoms of poisoning include numbness in the hands and feet, lack of coordination, and muscle weakness.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mercury is one of ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern.
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