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Mercury vapor poisoning
Last reviewed: 16.07.2024
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Mercury is a heavy metal and its compounds in the form of oxides and salts are used in manufacturing. It is also a component of disinfectants and some paints. Mercury salts are less toxic than its oxides. The substance is found in household thermometers and energy-saving lamps.
Causes of the mercury vapor poisoning
Toxic mercury vapor poisoning occurs through the skin and by inhalation. The vapors are odorless and invisible to the eye, but with prolonged exposure can cause metallic taste in the mouth. The greatest danger is when metal particles get on mucous membranes or are swallowed. In this case, under the toxic shock falls liver. But the most severe variant of poisoning is observed when inhaling vapors or direct ingestion of the substance into the blood.
Symptoms of the mercury vapor poisoning
Mercury poisoning can be suspected by nonspecific symptoms that are found in heavy metal poisoning and inflammatory diseases of various organs.
Symptoms of mercury vapor poisoning:
- Rapid fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Headaches.
- Irritability.
- Drowsiness.
- Memory impairment.
- Mercury tremor of the fingers, tongue.
- Cramps.
- Elevated body temperature.
- Decreased blood pressure.
- Increased sweating.
- Sluggishness and loss of consciousness, development of coma (acute poisoning).
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, metallic taste in the mouth.
- Bleeding gums and increased salivation.
- Pain and bleeding in the GI organs.
- Kidney and liver failure (chronic damage to the body).
The process of intoxication can be acute (inhalation of vapors), subacute and chronic (ingestion of a small amount of the substance for a long time). Acute course is rare, it is possible in accidents or industrial accidents.
Chronic lesions are possible if the broken thermometer is not completely collected and the metal is not neutralized. The toxin accumulates in parenchymatous organs, manifested by renal and hepatic failure.
Complications and consequences
Consequences of mercury intoxication:
- Frequent colds, pneumonia, bronchitis.
- Rapid fatigue.
- Headaches, migraines.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Depressive states, anxiety.
- Renal and hepatic failure.
- Gingivitis and other gum diseases.
Who to contact?
Treatment of the mercury vapor poisoning
If it is known for sure that intoxication is caused by mercury vapor, the first thing to do is to get out into the fresh air, i.e. To get away from the dangerous source. First aid consists of washing mucous membranes and exposed skin with a weak solution of manganese or running water. If there are respiratory and/or cardiovascular disorders, life-threatening conditions are eliminated and then lavage is performed.
To reduce the cauterizing effect of mercury on internal organs, a gastric lavage through a probe dissolved in cold water potassium permanganate is carried out. After the procedure, the victim is prescribed sorbents. Subsequently, the introduction of solutions and diuretics is carried out in the body to eliminate the toxin from the blood. Also for these purposes hemodialysis is used. If lesions of various organs develop, symptomatic treatment is shown.
Demercurization is carried out in the room where mercury has been spilled. This process involves mechanical removal of the metal and its compounds in a droplet-liquid form, followed by chemical treatment.