Mercury Poisoning Risks and Symptoms
Mercury is an element that is classified as a heavy metal, one that is toxic to humans even in very small doses. Poisoning occurs when mercury enters a person’s system. Several diseases may result when a person comes into contact with mercury, depending on the amount of mercury, how a person was exposed, and how long the exposure lasted. Mercury occurs naturally in the environment, so knowing its common sources and symptoms can help to reduce the risk of initial or prolonged exposure
Poisoning Risks
Exposure to mercury may occur in a number of ways without any detectable way of knowing. Common methods of mercury poisoning include:
- Consuming fish
- Dental fillings
- Contaminated air from a nearby factory
- Pollution from a coal plant
- Battery leakage
- Contaminated soil or water from leaching of waste
Poisoning can occur even if the mercury is not ingested. Simply coming into contact with mercury on bare skin can be enough for some forms of mercury to be absorbed by the body.
Symptoms of Poisoning
While mercury may be difficult to detect prior to exposure, there are certain symptoms of poisoning that one can watch for. These include:
- Loss of coordination
- Speech impairment
- Feelings of muscle weakness or fatigue
- Tingling or numbing sensation in the extremities
- Rashes and blotchy skin
- Loss of memory or other mental capacity
Exposure to mercury is especially risky for women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. The mercury in a woman’s body can be passed on to the fetus, which can cause severe brain damage and even death. Children and adults alike may also experience neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, or immune system damage.
Contact Us
Mercury poisoning has serious health implications for people of all ages. For sound legal advice and assistance with your mercury poisoning case and initiating a claim for compensation, please contact Austin personal injury lawyer Vic Feazell, P.C. today at 877-948-4842.
