Mercury & compounds: Health effects
Description
The nervous system is very sensitive to all forms of mercury. Exposure to high levels of any types of mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing foetus. Effects on brain functions may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing and memory problems. High exposures of mercury vapour may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and a build up of fluids in the lungs (pulmonary oedema) that can be fatal. Methyl mercury and mercury metal vapours are especially harmful, because more mercury reaches the brain. Long term exposures may cloud the eye. Contact with mercuric chloride can cause burns to the skin and permanent damage to the eyes. Mercury also accumulates in the body.
Entering the body
Mercury and mercury containing products will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air, drink contaminated water, eat contaminated food, or have our skin come into contact with it. Mercury may be absorbed through the skin. Mercury released into the environment is converted into methyl mercury by bacteria. The methyl mercury will then build up in the tissues of fish and shellfish. Humans (and other animals) may also be poisoned by eating these fish or shellfish.
Exposure
Mercury can be absorbed through the skin. Workers in the industries that use or produce mercury and its compounds (mercury mines and refineries, chemical manufacturing, dental/health fields, metal smelters) are at risk of exposure. Workers in fossil fuel power plants and in cement manufacturing may be exposed to mercury compounds if they are exposed to gaseous process emissions. Consumers can be exposed to mercury and its compounds by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using mercury and its compounds, by eating fish or shellfish contaminated with methyl mercury. People can also be exposed to mercury from dental work and medical treatments.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
The eight-hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit is 0.05mg/m3. Mercury bichloride is also considered to be toxic by inhalation, skin contact, or swallowing.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC and ARMCANZ, 1996):
Maximum of 0.001 mg/L (i.e. 0.000001 g/L)
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