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Lancet (London, England) Jan 1996
Topics: Chelating Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Environmental Pollution; Female; Household Articles; Humans; Male; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 8538305
DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(96)90239-1 -
International Journal of Health... 1981Pennwalt Inc., a multinational chemical and pharmaceutical firm based in the United States, operates a chloralkali plant in Managua, Nicaragua. This plant utilizes...
Pennwalt Inc., a multinational chemical and pharmaceutical firm based in the United States, operates a chloralkali plant in Managua, Nicaragua. This plant utilizes elemental mercury in the production of chlorine and caustic soda for markets throughout Central America. The plant was recently found to be contaminating the waters of Lake Managua (on which the plant is located) with 2 to 4 tons of inorganic mercury effluent per year-over 40 tons in the 13-year history of the plant. Examination of the 152 workers employed in the plant showed that 56(37 percent) were suffering symptoms and signs of mercury poisoning, including tremors (in 45), memory and attention deficits (in 45) and paresthesias (in 52). Levels of airborne mercury vapor in the plant were found to range as high as 600 microgram/m3. (The airborne standard set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is 100 microgram/m3.) Workers in the plant had never been alerted to the hazards of mercury. The plant was found to be in deteriorated condition, with no recent investments in maintenance or modern safety equipment. It is reported that the parent corporation, Pennwalt, has been withdrawing capital from the operation (and from Nicaragua) since the fall of the Somoza regime.
Topics: Air Pollutants, Occupational; Chemical Industry; Humans; Mercury Poisoning; Nicaragua; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Health Services; United States; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 7239735
DOI: 10.2190/N9Y9-YMU2-D6R1-LPYP -
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology Nov 2011Mercury poisoning was once common in the 19th century. With its declining use, now clinicians and the public in general are often unaware and unsuspecting of mercury...
Mercury poisoning was once common in the 19th century. With its declining use, now clinicians and the public in general are often unaware and unsuspecting of mercury toxicity. A 40-year-old woman and her two children were hospitalized with a 1-week history of a generalized lichenoid eruption. Clinical improvement occurred without a diagnosis; however, on returning home, features of acrodynia with digital gangrene developed in the woman, leading to suspicion of heavy metal poisoning. There was no recurrence after moving from their contaminated house.
Topics: Acrodynia; Adult; Child; Female; Fingers; Gangrene; Humans; Lichenoid Eruptions; Male; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 22070717
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2010.00679.x -
Annals of the Academy of Medicine,... Apr 1984The prognosis of chronic metallic mercury poisoning in two groups of patients from the mercury refinery of a mercury mine was evaluated by reexamination which included...
The prognosis of chronic metallic mercury poisoning in two groups of patients from the mercury refinery of a mercury mine was evaluated by reexamination which included an interview, physical and neurological examination and determination of urinary mercury. Group I consisted of 70 male patients, who had been exposed to metallic mercury for 1.6-17.8 years, 15 of whom had been diagnosed 10 years earlier as having severe chronic metallic mercury poisoning, and the rest moderate chronic metallic mercury poisoning. At the time of reexamination, they had been removed from mercury exposure for 2 months-17 years. None of them had been treated with any chelating agent. Group 2 comprised 84 male patients from the same mercury mine, who had been exposed to metallic mercury for 2-10 years after 1962 and had been previously diagnosed as having mild chronic metallic mercury poisoning. They were reexamined after 2 months of hospital admission and chelation treatment with unithiol or sodium dimercaptosuccinate (Na-DMS). Based on clinical evaluation, the condition of the patients in both groups had all improved, even in the severe cases. The overall prognosis of chronic metallic mercury poisoning in mercury refinery workers was encouraging after termination of mercury exposure. Chelation therapy with unithiol or Na-DMS was evidently beneficial for reducing urine mercury and some symptoms, but not for neurological and stomal signs.
Topics: Chelating Agents; Chronic Disease; Humans; Male; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Occupational Diseases; Prognosis
PubMed: 6497343
DOI: No ID Found -
Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical... Jun 2021Mercury is a toxic substance that is commonly used in skin lightening products. Various effects on humans have been observed, which affect both users and non-users. Many... (Review)
Review
Mercury is a toxic substance that is commonly used in skin lightening products. Various effects on humans have been observed, which affect both users and non-users. Many studies reported delayed diagnosis and treatment, even after weeks of hospitalization. The possible reasons are non-specific clinical manifestation and lack of awareness and knowledge regarding chronic mercury intoxication secondary to skin lightening products. A thorough history of mercury exposure is crucial. Physical assessment and relevant supporting tests are indicated to establish a diagnosis. Blood and urine mercury levels are an essential examination for diagnosis and monitoring of the progress and response to treatment. The primary treatment is the discontinuation of the skin lightening products. Chelation therapy is not mandatory and is usually indicated for symptomatic patients. The prognosis depends on the duration of the product use, concentration of mercury in the skin product, and the severity of clinical presentation.
Topics: Algorithms; Chelation Therapy; Cosmetics; Humans; Mercury Poisoning; Skin Pigmentation
PubMed: 32415819
DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2020.4759 -
Hong Kong Medical Journal = Xianggang... Feb 2009An infant presented with failure to thrive and developmental regression. Physical examination revealed an irritable child with swollen, erythematous extremities, and...
An infant presented with failure to thrive and developmental regression. Physical examination revealed an irritable child with swollen, erythematous extremities, and elevated blood pressure. Extensive investigations, including a metabolic work-up and neuroimaging, were unrevealing. Exposure to self-purchased medication was initially denied. The physical signs were suggestive of acrodynia. Mercury poisoning was ultimately established by measuring paired blood and urine mercury levels. On further enquiry, it was revealed that the child had been given a Chinese medicinal product for 4 months. He responded well to a chelating agent. Acrodynia is a childhood disease considered to be of historical interest only, but making a diagnosis of mercury poisoning is rewarding because the response to treatment is good. This case highlights the common misconception that alternative medicines are safe and benign.
Topics: Acrodynia; Complementary Therapies; Developmental Disabilities; Failure to Thrive; Hong Kong; Humans; Infant; Male; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 19197099
DOI: No ID Found -
The American Journal of Forensic... Dec 1982Minamata disease is a relatively new disease entity secondary to an environmental pollution, methyl mercury poisoning. The pathogenesis and pathology are described. The...
Minamata disease is a relatively new disease entity secondary to an environmental pollution, methyl mercury poisoning. The pathogenesis and pathology are described. The disease is a preventable one and precautionary steps through more stringent environmental policies are currently under way.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Japan; Mercury Poisoning; Methylmercury Compounds; Pregnancy
PubMed: 7165023
DOI: 10.1097/00000433-198212000-00010 -
Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi =... Aug 2008
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Journal of Toxicology. Clinical... 1991
Topics: Dental Amalgam; Dentures; Environmental Exposure; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, Ancient; History, Medieval; Humans; Mercury Poisoning; United States
PubMed: 2051504
DOI: 10.3109/15563659109038608 -
British Medical Journal Nov 1972
Topics: Environment; Environmental Pollution; Humans; International Cooperation; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 4653890
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.4.5838.489-c