The major target organs of elemental mercury induced toxicity are the CNS and the kidneys. The cardiovascular and respiratory system, GI tract and the skin are also affected at higher concentrations. Similarly, the target organs following ingestion of inorganic mercury are the kidneys and the CNS (1).
In general, mercury tends to affect the nervous system. This means that unborn babies and children are at more risk because their nervous systems are developing. People at higher risk from mercury exposure include: unborn babies.
High exposure to inorganic mercury may result in damage to the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system, and the kidneys. Both inorganic and organic mercury are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and affect other systems through this route.
Permanent damage to the brain has been shown to occur from exposure to sufficiently high levels of metallic mercury. The kidneys are also sensitive to the effects of mercury, because mercury accumulates in the kidneys and causes higher exposures to these tissues, and thus more damage.
6, 7, 8 Because of the strong affinity of mercury for the kidney tissue, the kidney is one of the most susceptible organs to mercury poisoning. When mercury accumulates in the body to a certain degree, kidney disease occurs and is reflected by proteinuria and toxic encephalopathy.
In addition to evidence of mercury effects on various organs, some animal studies have suggested that acute mercury exposure can damage the liver [12, 13]. However, the relationship between chronic mercury exposure and liver-related outcomes in humans is not well understood.
The liver is a major site of metabolism for mercury and it can accumulate in the liver, resulting in severe hepatic damages.
Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants for removing mercury. Alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, selenium, N-Acetyl Cysteine, as well as liposomal glutathione supplements support glutathione production and help detoxify mercury from the body.
Acute exposure to high levels of elemental mercury vapor may cause inflammation of the lungs (chemical pneumonitis), difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea), chest pain, and dry cough.
Salmon is low in mercury.
Both wild and farmed Atlantic salmon have much lower mercury levels than most other fish species. Farmed salmon has on average, 0.05 micrograms of mercury per gram.
Some of the health effects exposure to mercury may cause include: irritation to the eyes, skin, and stomach; cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, insomnia, irritability, indecision, headache, weakness or exhaustion, and weight loss.
Acute mercury poisoning, involving a number of organs, leads to severe dysfunctions, such as acute renal failure (ARF), and even threatens patients' lives.
The brains of children who have died as a result of mercury poisoning show neuron loss in the cerebellum and throughout the cerebral cortex. Mercury also appears to affect brain development by preventing neurons from finding their appropriate place in the brain.
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.
A large overdose of inorganic mercury may cause massive blood and fluid loss, kidney failure, and likely death. Chronic brain damage from organic mercury poisoning is difficult to treat. Some people never recover, but there has been some success in people who receive chelation treatment.
Long-term exposure to high levels of methylmercury causes effects primarily on the nervous system. Symptoms of long-term high level methylmercury exposure include disturbances in vision, hearing and speech, as well as tingling and numbness in fingers and toes, lack of coordination and muscle weakness.
Mercury has been found to be a cause of clogged arteries, hypertension, and increased heart rate in children and adults and heart attacks in adults.
Certain nutrients such as Selenium, Vitamin C and E, and Glutathione help with mercury removal. Adding these nutrients in your diet can go a long way in preventing mercury toxicity. Besides, high doses of chlorella, a green algae, has also been proven helpful in reducing body mercury levels.
Sprinkle sulfur powder over the contaminated area and rub it gently all over the surface and into the cracks with a paper towel. Sulfur powder binds with mercury. Use a paper towel dampened with water followed by wiping with another damp paper towel to clean up the sulfur and mercury.
Once mercury has entered the body, it can take months before it is eliminated, mainly through the urine and feces. Levels of mercury can be measured in blood, urine, and scalp hair. These tests may help to predict possible health effects.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent cause of liver disease in children. Mercury (Hg), a ubiquitous toxic metal, has been proposed as an environmental factor contributing to toxicant-associated fatty liver disease.
Mercury has genotoxic effects, so these findings support the hypothesis that toxic metals such as mercury contribute to the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer.
Mercury exposure is linked with inflammation, autoantibodies, and renal pathology. Animal studies recapitulate the immune features of human exposure. Differences in inflammation and autoimmunity are genetically regulated. Required genes include those regulating innate and/or adaptive immunity.
Some medications linked to serious liver injury include the statin drugs used to treat high cholesterol, the combination drug amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), niacin (Niaspan), ketoconazole, certain antivirals and anabolic steroids.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a urine test (most common), fecal, or blood test for mercury poisoning from fillings. Amalgam fillings and methylmercury (organic mercury), often found in seafood products, are the top sources of mercury that can lead to mercury poisoning.