Mercury poisoning – symptoms. Treatment of mercury poisoning with a thermometer

Proven content

Mercury is a heavy metal that normally occurs in a liquid state. The mercury vapor absorbed by the respiratory tract and most of the compounds, both inorganic and organic, are poisonous. Accidental mercury poisoning is most common in children under 3 years of age.

Mercury poisoning

Mercury itself is a substance that cannot be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Among inorganic salts, the following substances have the strongest poisonous effect and are the cause of the most common poisoning:

1. sublimate (mercuric chloride),
2. oxyanic,
3. flog rtęciowy,
4. cyanide.

Toxic mercury compounds, and more precisely their action, is nothing more than binding of mercury ions with proteins and blocking enzymes important for life. This mechanism affects all tissues and organs. Organic mercury compounds lead to degenerative changes, especially in the central nervous system.

The causes of mercury poisoning

Accidental mercury poisoning is most common in children under 3 years of age. Of course, this is related to the natural process of learning about the environment and senses (e.g. the sense of taste) by the child. Curiosity may result in the ingestion of mercury globules by a toddler, as a result of damage to the mercury thermometer.

It is much safer to use non-contact thermometers, such as Neno Medic T02 or Neno Medic T05 with the function of measuring the temperature of the liquid, which you can buy at favorable prices at Medonet Market.

In addition, research shows that large amounts of mercury vapor come from amalgam fillings. Other sources of mercury poisoning can also include:

1. seafood;
2. fish (salmon, tuna, swordfish);
3. smoke from factories that burn coal;
4. selected types of paints;
5. items for measuring blood pressure;
6. fluorescent bulbs;
7. mercury in the mother’s body can pass to the baby through the placenta;
8. breastfeeding women who have mercury in their body can also pass it to their baby through the milk.

In the old days, mercury poisoning in infants was caused by a vaccine that contained a dose of mercury that exceeded safety standards (organic mercury compound and thimerosal). Fortunately, most vaccines today are mercury-free.

What are the symptoms of mercury poisoning?

Oral mercury poisoning causes the following several minutes after taking the poison:

1. violent vomiting with more or less blood,
2. burning sensation in the mouth and esophagus,
3. salivation,
4. stomach pain,
5. profuse bloody diarrhea,
6. dehydration, shock and circulatory failure or swelling of the glottis – can even cause death in the first 24 hours.

Others dangerous symptoms kidney problems up to anuria and acutely developing uremia are related to mercury poisoning. Ulcerative and necrotic lesions begin to appear in the mouth, which are covered with gray coating, moreover, a black mercury limestone appears on the gums. In the event of uremia inhibition during the gradual regeneration of the renal tubular epithelium, the patients are at risk of complications in the form of secondary urinary tract infections and the dangers of damage to the liver parenchyma or the heart muscle.

In acute poisoning with organic mercury compounds the main symptoms are: headaches, muscle tremors, increased excitability, swallowing problems, slurred speech, problems with coordination, seizures, and even coma. In addition, degenerative changes in the heart muscle may occur.

If you want to safely measure the temperature, order the Fever Set: non-contact thermometer + gel compress, which you can find at a favorable price on the Medonet Market.

Mercury poisoning – first aid

In cases of oral ingestion of mercury salts, milk with egg whites should be drunk as soon as possible! It is also necessary to induce vomiting (if it does not occur on its own) and to provide for basic life activities. In addition, a person who has mercury poisoning should be hospitalized immediately.

In poisoning with organic mercury compounds, the following are used: forcing vomiting, Glauber’s salt or medicinal charcoal. In addition, the patient should be hospitalized as soon as possible.

What if mercury spills from a broken thermometer?

1. Check / assess whether the broken thermometer contained mercury (silver) or dibutyl phthalate (red).

2. Check whether the thermometer tank is damaged. If it is found to be crushed or broken, procedures associated with the greater danger – that is, the unknown amount of mercury – should be adopted.

3. It is forbidden to use a vacuum cleaner on surfaces with spilled mercury.

4. The next step should be to identify the contaminated surface. If mercury has spilled onto carpets or raw wood planks, you should contact your local health center or company that specializes in mercury spill management.

5. Before cleaning up mercury spills, remove any gold jewelry and turn off any heat sources in the area of ​​the mercury spill. It is forbidden to sweep mercury with a broom, because the bristles from the brush break down the mercury drops into smaller ones, which are very difficult to remove. In addition, avoid contact of mercury with the skin, you can try to remove it with stiff paper or cardboard, and then seal it in an airtight container, e.g. a jar. Finally, the secured mercury must be disposed of as harmful waste.

6. Additional ventilation of mercury areas where mercury has been spilled may also be performed to avoid the accumulation of mercury vapors.

For safety reasons, do not use mercury thermometers. Buy BRAUN IRT6515 Thermoscan 6 Ear Thermometer with Heated Tip. See the full range of thermometers available on Medonet Market.