Mercury poison updates

Mercury poisoning can also disrupt fetal and early childhood development. High amounts of mercury can lead to long-term and sometimes permanent neurological changes. The dangers are especially notable in young children who are still developing. Mercury exposure can lead to developmental problems in the brain, which can also affect physical functions such as motor skills.

Some children who are exposed to mercury at a young age may develop learning disabilities, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Adults with mercury poisoning may have permanent brain and kidney damage. Circulatory failure is another possible type of complication. Methylmercury organic mercury poisoning is largely linked to eating seafood, mainly fish.

Toxicity from fish has two causes:. Fish get mercury from the water they live in. All types of fish contain some amount of mercury. Larger types of fish can have higher amounts of mercury because they prey on other fish that have mercury too. Sharks and swordfish are among the most common of these. Bigeye tuna, marlin, and king mackerel also contain high levels of mercury. In small amounts, the following types of fish are okay to eat once or twice per week:.

This will reduce the risk of fetal mercury exposure. Other causes of mercury poisoning can be environmental or from exposure to other forms of the metal. These include:. Mercury poisoning is diagnosed with a physical exam and a blood and urine test.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and when they started. They will also ask you about your dietary choices and other lifestyle habits. The best way to treat mercury poisoning is to stop your exposure to the metal. If you eat a lot of mercury-containing seafood, stop immediately. If toxicity is linked to your environment or workplace, you might need to take steps to remove yourself from the area to prevent further effects of poisoning. Clinical Research Resources ClinicalTrials. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.

Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Do you have updated information on this disease? We want to hear from you. Learn More Learn More. Department of Health and Human Services that provides trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances. Please click on the link to access their information page on Mercury poisoning. MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.

In-Depth Information Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free. The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition. PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Mercury poisoning. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic. Have a question? References References. These products usually are manufactured abroad and sold illegally in the United States, often in shops catering to the Latino, Asian, African, or Middle Eastern communities.

They are promoted online on social media sites and sold through mobile apps. Consumers may also have bought them in another country and brought them back to the U. Even though these products are often promoted as cosmetics, they also may be unapproved new drugs under the law. FDA does not allow mercury in drugs or in cosmetics, except under very specific conditions where there are no other safe and effective preservatives available — conditions that these products do not meet.

Sellers and distributors who market mercury-containing skin whitening or lightening creams in the U. Exposure to mercury can have serious health consequences. When you use these products your family might breathe mercury vapors or might become exposed by using things like washcloths or towels contaminated with mercury.

Some people — including pregnant women, nursing babies and young children — are especially vulnerable to mercury toxicity.