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Cutis Apr 2021Mercury is an underrecognized cause of heavy metal poisoning. Typically, mercury exposure occurs though consumption of methylmercury in seafood or acute inhalation of...
Mercury is an underrecognized cause of heavy metal poisoning. Typically, mercury exposure occurs though consumption of methylmercury in seafood or acute inhalation of elemental mercury vapors, with other routes of exposure being uncommon. We describe a case of mercury toxicity resulting from intentional injection of liquid mercury into the right antecubital fossa in a suicide attempt. Mercury poisoning may present with characteristic neuropsychologic signs and symptoms. Increasing anxiety, depression, tremors, irritability, and difficulty concentrating coupled with blood mercury levels higher than 100 μg/L and urine mercury levels of 477 μg/g led to the diagnosis of erethism mercurialis, a constellation of neuropsychologic signs and symptoms including restlessness, irritability, insomnia, emotional lability, difficulty concentrating, and impaired memory. Skin reactions associated with contact to elemental mercury are rare. However, this case presented with a mercury granuloma. Hives and dermatitis have been observed following accidental contact with inorganic mercury compounds.
Topics: Granuloma; Humans; Injections; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 34096847
DOI: 10.12788/cutis.0224 -
Dental Materials : Official Publication... Jun 1986
Review
Topics: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry, Physical; Fibroblasts; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 3525293
DOI: 10.1016/s0109-5641(86)80001-x -
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of... Sep 1999
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Orthopedics Apr 2004
Review
Topics: Animals; Environmental Exposure; Fishes; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System; Methylmercury Compounds; Seafood
PubMed: 15101483
DOI: 10.3928/0147-7447-20040401-16 -
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT Apr 1992Relationships have been established between the concentrations of mercury in human scalp hair and environmental or dietary mercury exposures. For chronic exposures, the... (Review)
Review
Relationships have been established between the concentrations of mercury in human scalp hair and environmental or dietary mercury exposures. For chronic exposures, the hair/blood ratio for mercury is in the range 200:1-300:1, and scalp hair mercury concentrations of greater than 5 ppm are indicative of mercury intoxication. These observations, coupled with the ease by which samples may be collected, transported and stored, support the use of hair analysis for evaluating mercury intoxication of the human body.
Topics: Environmental Exposure; Hair; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 1556385
DOI: 10.1002/jat.2550120203 -
Alternative Medicine Review : a Journal... Dec 2011Mercury (Hg) occurs naturally in the environment and has been used in numerous medicinal, commercial, and industrial applications over many centuries. Also, it has... (Review)
Review
Mercury (Hg) occurs naturally in the environment and has been used in numerous medicinal, commercial, and industrial applications over many centuries. Also, it has played significant historical, as well as current, ethno-medical and magico-religious roles in a number of different cultures. In recent times, awareness has emerged that exposure to mercury can have serious adverse health consequences. Accompanying this, contamination of the environment by mercury is causing public health and environmental concerns. As a result, major efforts are being undertaken by industry, private organizations, and government agencies to reduce or eliminate the use of and exposure to this toxic element. However, in spite of extensive educational and socio-cultural interventions, the use of mercury in ritualistic and spiritual practices is a continuing cause for concern.
Topics: Ceremonial Behavior; Cultural Characteristics; Environmental Exposure; Global Health; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Public Health; Religion
PubMed: 22214251
DOI: No ID Found -
Industrial Health Apr 2000Mercury exists in various chemical forms. The important forms from a toxicological viewpoint are the metallic form, also called the elemental form, the divalent... (Review)
Review
Mercury exists in various chemical forms. The important forms from a toxicological viewpoint are the metallic form, also called the elemental form, the divalent inorganic forms and methylmercury compounds. Elemental (Hg0) mercury has a high vapor pressure and the vapor causes a number of cases of poisoning via inhalation. Classical mercury poisoning is characterized by a triad of signs, namely tremors, erethism and gingivitis. Mercurial erethism, which is characterized by behavioral and personality changes such as extreme shyness, excitability, loss of memory, and insomnia are also observed. Recently, the effects of mercury exposure at levels around 0.05 mg/m3 or lower have been of concern and may include minor renal tubular damage, increased complaints of tiredness, memory disturbance and other symptoms, subclinical finger tremor, abnormal EEG by computerized analysis and impaired performance in neurobehavioral or neuropsychological tests. Abnormal gait, dysarthria, ataxia, deafness and constriction of the visual field are typical of the symptoms of methylmercury poisoning observed in Minamata and Iraqi outbreaks, as well as in occupational methylmercury poisoning cases. Furthermore, an infant born to a mother with excessive methylmercury consumption showed various neurological disturbances and delayed development. Since several populations are believed to be still exposed to methylmercury through the consumption of fish and sea mammals, neurobehavioral deviations in children of these populations have recently been investigated.
Topics: Ataxia; Child Development; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Environmental Exposure; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Inhalation Exposure; Kidney Diseases; Memory; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Methylmercury Compounds; Occupational Exposure; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 10812838
DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.38.153 -
Journal of Dentistry Apr 1988
Review
Topics: Dental Amalgam; Dental Restoration, Permanent; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 3290302
DOI: 10.1016/0300-5712(88)90059-0 -
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental... Jan 1977Based on an extensive literature search, general principles of mercury toxicity are outlined with respect to human individuals and populations. For the metal itself, as... (Review)
Review
Based on an extensive literature search, general principles of mercury toxicity are outlined with respect to human individuals and populations. For the metal itself, as well as for its most important inorganic and organic compounds, the review discussed behavior in the body, characteristic clinical pictures, assessment of threshold levels, and evaluation as potential environmental hazards. Particular emphasis is placed on those diagnostic signs and symptoms which furnish early warning signals, permitting detection and elimination of overexposures.
Topics: Epidemiologic Methods; Hair; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Lung; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Organomercury Compounds; Skin Absorption
PubMed: 321797
DOI: 10.1080/15287397709529452 -
The Journal of Emergency Medicine Mar 2019Mercury poisoning is an uncommon diagnosis in the United States, but it is a differential diagnosis that physicians should consider because it can lead to potentially...
BACKGROUND
Mercury poisoning is an uncommon diagnosis in the United States, but it is a differential diagnosis that physicians should consider because it can lead to potentially fatal complications if untreated. Due to the nonspecific presentation of mercury poisoning, which includes symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, misdiagnosis may occur unless a proper history is taken.
CASE REPORT
In the present case, a white female patient was misdiagnosed repeatedly with a viral illness and sent home from the local hospital. The patient presented with a diffuse full-body rash, fever, myalgias, headache, peripheral neuropathy, oral paresthesias, and tender cervical posterior lymphadenopathy. After obtaining a thorough history, it was discovered that the patient and her family were exposed to mercury through a spill of elemental mercury in their home. Blood mercury levels in the patient were 170 ng/mL. The patient was treated with a course of dimercaprol. Her symptoms improved and she was discharged on hospital day 5. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Ultimately, mercury poisoning is a treatable condition, but if exposure continues and the patient is not treated, it may lead to complications such as severe pneumonitis, renal tubular necrosis, and neurological dysfunction. In some instances, neurological symptoms may persist even if the source of exposure is removed. For these reasons, recognition and prompt treatment after a suspected exposure is important.
Topics: Adult; Chelating Agents; Chelation Therapy; Emergency Service, Hospital; Environmental Exposure; Exanthema; Female; Fever; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Myalgia; Succimer
PubMed: 30718027
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2018.12.039