Mercury & Kidney Damage

Mercury is a silver-white poisonous heavy metallic element. It is highly toxic. Exposure to mercury in large enough amounts can cause serious damage. A report published by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on mercury compounds reveals that "Chronic exposure to elemental mercury also affects the kidney in humans, with the development of proteinuria."

Exposure

• Mercury is found at low levels in the environment. People are exposed to it in the air and in their food and drink. Eating large amounts of seafood can result in exposure to high levels of methylmercury. Some fungicides and household products contain mercury, and it can also escape from hazardous waste sites and power plants.

Health Effects

• Mercury poisoning can seriously damage the nervous system. Inhaling mercury vapor can harm the respiratory system, and ingesting mercury can damage the digestive system.

Kidneys

• Mercury can accumulate in the kidneys, increasing the level of mercury in the tissue. Any form of mercury that enters the body in a large enough amount can harm the kidneys.

Symptoms

• According to FAQs.org, "Although kidney failure is more likely to occur in older people because of the decreased capacity of the body to respond to stress, uremia can occur in any age group if kidney damage is severe enough. The onset of uremia may be so gradual that it goes unnoticed until the patient is weak and seems chronically ill." More serious damage reduces kidney function and can lead to kidney failure.

Treatment

• The kidneys may recover from exposure to low levels of mercury once exposure ends. Dialysis and kidney transplantation can help patients whose kidneys are severely damaged.