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What Are the Causes of Mercury Poisoning?

There are three types of mercury poisoning. The disease can be caused by liquid mercury, organic mercury, and inorganic mercury. Exposure can be either acute--one massive dose--or chronic, with small amounts ingested over time. With less than 200,000 cases reported nationwide, mercury poisoning is classified as a rare disease by the National Institutes of Health.

  1. Liquid Mercury

    • Liquid mercury, also called elemental mercury, is found in glass thermometers, electrical switches, fluorescent light bulbs, and older dental fillings. It only becomes dangerous when converted to airborne droplets. Symptoms include metallic taste, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. In acute cases, liquid mercury poisoning causes lung damage, brain damage and death.

    Organic Mercury

    • Organic mercury, unlike liquid mercury, is poisonous when swallowed. It is found in batteries and chemistry labs, as well as some disinfectants and folk remedies. Symptoms include burning in throat and stomach and bloody diarrhea. Severe cases can cause kidney failure and death.

    Inorganic Mercury

    • The FDA recommends that people limit their consumption of swordfish, shark and mackerel

      Inorganic mercury is found in some older antiseptics, as well as being present --in minute quantities-- in the thimerosal used in some vaccines. It is also found in fish that have consumed methylmercury, formed when mercury in the water combines with certain bacteria. Symptoms include skin numbness, tremors, double vision, and memory problems.

    Safety Considerations

    • According to the National Institutes of Health, people should not eat fish if they are unsure of the water conditions in which it was caught, and pregnant women should limit their consumption of certain fish, particularly swordfish. Never vacuum up spilled mercury from a broken glass thermometer; use gloves and pick the pieces up carefully, then dispose in sealed container.

    Amalgam Fillings

    • Amalgam tooth fillings contain mercury, along with silver alloy. In June 2009, the FDA issued a statement that the amount of mercury in amalgam is not enough to be harmful. Although dentists have the option of using a mercury-free composite, the American Dental Association maintains that amalgam's' superior strength makes its continuing usage practical.
      The use of amalgam fillings is controversial; some people believe that the mercury in them worsens conditions such as Alzheimer's diease and multiple sclerosis, and have formed organizations to oppose its use.

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