Electrical switches and relays - typically contains about 3.5 grams of mercury in SOME chest freezers, pre-1972 washing machines, sump pumps, electric space heaters, clothes irons, silent light switches and automatic car hood & trunk lights. Some athletic shoes (made before 1997 ONLY) with flashing lights in soles.
Blood pressure cuffs. Thermostats. All types of fluorescent lights, including compact fluorescents, high-pressure sodium, and metal halide lights. Learn more: Mercury in consumer products (EPA)
Larger amounts of mercury are found in household bleach and many soaps.
Check the label. If the words “mercurous chloride,” “calomel,” “mercuric,” “mercurio,” or “mercury” are listed on the label, mercury' is in it—and you should stop using the product immediately.
Diagnosis of mercury poisoning
Poisoning from methylmercury can take weeks or months to appear. A chemical spill with elemental mercury or inorganic mercury might give you symptoms more rapidly. Mercury poisoning is diagnosed by testing your blood and urine for mercury levels.
Gas Furnaces — Gas furnaces use the same mercury flame sensors that are found in water heaters. Other Appliances — Boilers, gas refrigerators, gas air conditioners, dryers, and microwave ovens may have mercury switches and flame sensors.
The traditional treatment for mercury poisoning is to stop all exposures. In many cases, chelation therapy is also used. This involves giving a medication (the chelator) which goes into the body and grabs the metal (chelos is the Greek word for claw) then carries the metal out of the body, usually into the urine.
You might be surprised to learn where mercury is found in your home and school. Thermometers (fever, cooking, outdoor), thermostats, fluorescent lamps, button batteries, and some switches or relays can all be a source of mercury.
Mercury is an element and a metal that is found in air, water, and soil. It exists in three forms that have different properties, usage, and toxicity. The three forms are called elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. Elemental mercury is liquid at room temperature.
Mercury vapor bulbs were used in older microwave ovens but new models do not contain mercury.
Globally, mercury is most commonly 'produced' in Spain, particularly from the Almaden mine which is known for its high quality mercury. It may also be obtained from Yugoslavia, the United States (mainly California), and Italy. Mercury is obtained from an ore called cinnabar or another called calomel.
The toxic effects of mercury depend on its chemical form and the route of exposure. Methylmercury [CH3Hg] is the most toxic form. It affects the immune system, alters genetic and enzyme systems, and damages the nervous system, including coordination and the senses of touch, taste, and sight.
Once inorganic mercury enters the body and gets into the bloodstream, it moves to many different tissues. Inorganic mercury leaves your body in the urine or feces over a period of several weeks or months.
A diet rich in various nutrients and vitamins has been shown to promote mercury elimination from the body. Some of these nutrients include selenium, glutathione, and vitamins, including vitamins C and E. Besides, green algae called chlorella is also helpful in removing mercury from the body.
Appliances. Older model electric appliances including chest freezers, space heaters, clothes dryers, clothes irons and washing machines may contain mercury switches that turn the device on or off, or turn a light on or off.
Some refrigerators and chest freezers manufactured prior to 2000 have mercury-containing components (i.e., switches and relays). Appliances manufactured prior to 1979 may contain PCB capacitors.
Blood mercury levels above 100 ng/mL have been reported to be associated with clear signs of mercury poisoning in some individuals (e.g., poor muscle coordination, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes).
Health effects of mercury exposure
The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal. The inorganic salts of mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
However, internationally, there are much higher rates of exposure, including mercury mining in China, small-scale gold mining, and food contaminated with mercury. Two major toxic incidents occurred in Minamata Bay, Japan, and Iraq.
Children Under 14 Are Most Sensitive To Mercury
The developing brains and nervous systems of children are very sensitive to mercury and may be irreversibly damaged by it. Children can be exposed to methylmercury by eating certain types of fish or if their mothers ate mercury-contaminated fish before their birth.
First, mercury is emitted into the air naturally from volcanoes, the weathering of rocks, forest fires, and soils. Second, mercury is emitted into the air from the burning of fossil fuels and municipal or medical waste.