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Mercury is a very toxic or poisonous substance that people can be exposed to in several ways. If it is swallowed, like from a broken thermometer, it mostly.
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Elemental mercury, also called “quicksilver,” is a heavy, silvery, form of the metal mercury that is liquid at room temperature. It can slowly change from a liquid into a gas that is invisible to the naked eye. The gas or “vapors” that are released will start to fill a room if mercury is spilled indoors.
Mercury is a very toxic or poisonous substance that people can be exposed to in several ways. If it is swallowed , like from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you. Mercury is most harmful when you breathe in the vapors that are released when a container is open or a spill occurs.
Pregnant women, infants and young children are particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of mercury. The health effects that can result from mercury exposure depend on how much mercury you are exposed to and how long you are exposed.
Some of the acute effects, ones that may come soon after exposure to high concentrations of mercury are:
Some effects that may result from chronic , or longer term exposure to mercury vapor can be:
Children are especially sensitive to mercury and at risk of developing a condition known as acrodynia or “Pinks Disease” by breathing vapors or other exposure circumstances. The symptoms of this condition include:
There are tests that a doctor can do to measure whether you have been exposed to too much mercury. These tests can show whether you have more mercury in your body than someone who has not been exposed to a mercury spill. A blood test is the most accurate for a recent exposure, for example one that occurred less than a week earlier. A urine test is better for measuring mercury when the exposure has happened over a period of several weeks or more. If your tests indicate a large exposure there are medications your doctor may proscribe that will remove the mercury from your body. You may call the Michigan Department of Community Health’s hotline (1-800-648-6942) or the national Poison Control Center toll free number (1-800-222-1222) if you or your doctor want help interpreting test results.
The amount of mercury vapor that can be in the air in a workplace, like a factory, is regulated by government agencies. The amount of mercury vapor that is considered safe in a home, school, or business is not regulated but health agencies, like the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have recommended levels that are considered protective of human health. The recommended levels in homes where children are often present and people spend a lot of time are much lower than those for workplaces. Mercury vapor levels are usually measured in micrograms of vapor per cubic meter of air which is also written as ug/m^3.
After spilled mercury has been cleaned up in a home or other structure, and all the contaminated materials have been removed, the rooms should be well