Mercury poisoning is one of the most serious poisonings of the body, which is dangerous for its consequences. Most often, mercury enters the human body in the form of dust or vapor, with breathing or food. If this substance is ingested in a small amount and only once, it will not harm health - mercury will be removed from the body on its own without additional actions. When it enters the blood - through the kidneys along with urine, into the digestive tract - with feces. Such a metal, entering the body, is not absorbed into the tissues and leaves unchanged.
If this substance is ingested in small quantities, signs of poisoning may be mild or completely absent (often reminiscent of other diseases, such as disorders of the nervous system, digestive or respiratory organs). Death from poisoning with salts or mercury vapor can occur only in case of major accidents at the mercury production.
In order for a child to be poisoned, a much smaller amount of vapor is needed - this is due not only to the fact that a small body is not protected from toxins, but to the fact that the baby does not always understand what has a beneficial effect on the body and what does not. The situation is further complicated by the fact that a child can break a thermometer and not say anything about it to adults, and the mercury content in the thermometer is enough to poison a small child. In addition, metal particles are often found in food. Quite rarely, mercury intoxication of a baby can be accurately diagnosed. Often this condition is explained by doctors as a common poisoning or pathology of the digestive system.
Etiology
The reasons for mercury poisoning are understandable - the ingestion of a certain amount of liquid metal into the body. It is worth figuring out where, in general, mercury can get in such an amount as to lead to human poisoning. Factors due to which a certain amount of mercury can enter the human body:
- production conditions (during the production of galvanic batteries, which are made with the content of liquid metal);
- metallurgical industry - when creating various compounds;
- aluminum recycling;
- chemical industry - as one of the reagents;
- agriculture - as an integral part of pesticides for crop treatment;
- dentistry - one filling can contain from several milligrams to several hundred milligrams of this element;
- fluorescent lamps - they can contain from one to 70 grams of a substance, which is quite enough to poison a child;
- a medical thermometer containing less than two grams of the substance;
- food, in particular seafood - they can accumulate a large amount of mercury salts. Tellingly, no treatment of such products will reduce the concentration of this metal.
From this it follows that in order to be poisoned by vapors or mercury salts, one will have to try hard in order to find such a large amount of liquid metal. In cases where a medical thermometer or a mercury-containing lamp has broken, it is necessary to adhere to simple rules collection of mercury particles. To do this, you need to do the following - moisten several sheets of paper or newspaper in a solution of water and potassium permanganate, which will help to collect even the smallest grains of this substance. But in no case should you use a vacuum cleaner, since this will only spread grains of mercury throughout the room, this can lead to chronic poisoning with this substance.
Varieties
There are several forms in which mercury poisoning can be expressed:
- acute form - characterized by a sharp manifestation, including fever, severe headaches, frequent vomiting and diarrhea. Toxic shock can also develop, which, in turn, often causes the death of a person;
- chronic mercury poisoning - this variety is characterized by a gradual increase in the intensity of symptoms. The disturbances to which this leads are expressed not only in external manifestations, but also in internal disorders.
Symptoms
Depending on which of the above forms the poisoning occurs, the expressed symptoms may differ. The acute form of intoxication has the following symptoms:
- general weakness of the body;
- bouts of severe headache;
- complete loss of appetite;
- discomfort and pain when a person tries to swallow food or liquid;
- the appearance of an unpleasant taste of metal in the oral cavity;
- increased secretion of saliva;
- bleeding and swelling of the gums;
- persistent nausea with frequent bouts of vomiting;
- impurities of blood and mucus in vomit and feces;
- unbearable cramps in the abdomen and chest;
- severe cough with phlegm;
- shortness of breath and difficulty breathing;
- a sharp increase in body temperature;
- detection, in the diagnosis, of particles of a given substance in the urine;
- severe chills of the patient.
These symptoms are typical for both an adult and a child, but it is worth considering that in a child's body these processes proceed much faster than in an adult.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning in the chronic form:
- rapid fatigue of the victim;
- constant drowsiness;
- severe dizziness;
- severe fragility and hair loss;
- emotional disorders. The person loses self-confidence, is easily irritable, depressed and shy;
- decreased concentration and memory;
- development ;
- sleep disorders;
- with strong excitement, trembling appears in the fingers of the upper and lower extremities;
- increased urge to urinate and feces;
- loss of smell;
- lowering blood pressure;
- an increase in the size of the thyroid gland;
- violation of the heartbeat.
In a neglected course, or if it is untimely to provide first aid and do not call doctors, pneumonia will begin to develop, which can become a factor in the onset of a coma and death of the victim.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning from a thermometer have similar symptoms with a chronic form of poisoning. It is worth noting that only under certain circumstances can mercury intoxication from a thermometer occur. These circumstances are:
- age and weight of the victim. For an adult, the volume of mercury contained in a medical thermometer is not dangerous, but it can lead to poisoning of a small child;
- the temperature of the room where the mercury leak occurred - if the room is very hot, the metal will quickly evaporate and take on a gaseous form, in which it can easily enter the body;
- room dimensions.
Complications
The consequences of mercury poisoning can occur only in the chronic form of pathology. Young children and pregnant women are most often affected by complications. Thus, the consequences of mercury poisoning will be expressed in:
- violations of the functioning of the central nervous system and changes in the emotional state of a person;
- disorders of coordination and fine motor skills;
- violations of the functioning of the kidneys and organs of the digestive system.
If you do not seek help when the first symptoms of poisoning are detected, a person may die.
The sooner the first aid measures for mercury poisoning are done to the victim and the sooner they are moved to the clinic, the greater the chances of recovery.
Diagnostics
When diagnosing, the first step is to distinguish this disorder from other diseases of the digestive tract, kidneys and disorders of blood circulation in the brain. In addition, diagnostic measures include:
- and to determine the particles of mercury in them. But it is worth remembering that for two weeks from the moment the metal first enters the body, these analyzes will have normal values. Therefore, if this is done earlier than this period, there is the possibility of establishing an incorrect diagnosis;
- examination of the scalp on the head - this method is carried out in a chronic form in order to determine the approximate time for mercury to enter the body. The essence of such an examination is that in an adult and a child every two months, hair grows by about one and a half centimeters. With mercury poisoning, hair growth slows down;
- the introduction into the body of a special solution that will show the presence of the metal.
Treatment
In case of poisoning with a large amount of mercury, it is necessary to call an ambulance, and before the arrival of doctors, provide first aid in case of mercury poisoning. To do this, do the following:
- remove or remove the victim to fresh air;
- try to empty your stomach. If this is not possible, it is necessary to give the victim activated charcoal, in the ratio of one tablet per ten kilograms of body weight, or water with the addition of egg white;
- give to drink as much ordinary purified water as possible, not strong tea or milk;
- it is necessary to lay the victim, and turn his head to one side, so that the person does not choke on vomit;
- if the poisoning occurred at home, it is necessary to give medications containing calcium or glucose. In addition, you need to collect small balls of mercury as quickly as possible;
- if possible, take a contrast shower and change clothes.
Upon the arrival of doctors, the patient is taken to a medical facility, where he is prescribed injections of dimercapto compounds and is treated for concomitant pathologies of internal organs.
In most cases, the prognosis for poisoning is favorable - the mortality rate is extremely low.
Prevention
In order to avoid mercury poisoning, you must:
- store thermometers with mercury in a protective bottle and away from children;
- when breaking a thermometer, get rid of grains of the substance as soon as possible;
- securely install mercury lamps;
- regularly undergo a medical examination for those people who work in close proximity with a high concentration of this metal.
How mercury poisoning can occur, causes of intoxication and symptoms of chronic and acute damage to the body by metal and its compounds, methods of treatment and prevention.
The content of the article:
Mercury poisoning is a pathological health condition that is caused by excessive intake of the vapors of this metal or its compounds in the human body. Mercury ions are a powerful protoplasmic poison that is deposited in the kidneys and liver. Despite the high toxicity, it is widely used in everyday life, so it is quite easy to get poisoned by careless handling of various devices.
Description of mercury poisoning
Mercury is a heavy metal whose salts and oxides are widely used in industry. Mercury compounds are part of disinfectants, some types of paints, and medicines for external use. In everyday life, it can be found in thermometers, energy-saving lamps. If the integrity of such a lamp or a mercury thermometer is broken and the metal leaks out, poisoning of those present in the room may occur.
Any mercury compounds are toxic. Moreover, salts are more toxic than mercury oxides. The most common organic compounds of this metal, and they are potentially dangerous.
When flowing out of a sealed container, the metal quickly evaporates when room temperature and under the influence of oxygen is oxidized to divalent mercury. It has a toxic effect after inhalation of its vapors.
Elemental mercury is absorbed primarily as vapor in the lungs. From there, 80 to 100% of the inhaled metal enters the blood through the pulmonary alveoli. Absorption of the substance in the digestive tract is usually negligible.
The volatility of elemental mercury that has entered the digestive tract is reduced by the oxidation of its surface to mercury sulfide. The latter prevents the formation of vapors from the rest of the substance. The absorbed metal in the vapor state is fat-soluble. It readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and the placenta, but is rapidly oxidized to a substance that is divalent mercury. It easily binds to sulfhydryl protein groups, which have low mobility.
Therefore, a single concentrated exposure contributes to the accumulation of a larger volume of mercury in the brain than chronic oral ingestion of the metal into the body. The elimination period for elemental mercury from the body is approximately 60 days.
Inorganic mercury compounds are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and through the epidermis. Once in the digestive organs, mercury salts corrode the mucous membrane, and absorption increases. With intravenous administration, no more than 10% of the dose can be absorbed. Mercury salts accumulate primarily in the kidneys, and also enter the liver, bone marrow, spleen, lungs, intestines, and affect erythrocytes and skin. Excretion of mercury salts occurs with emptying. The withdrawal period is about 40 days.
Organic mercury compounds (methylated metal) are rapidly absorbed in the intestine and through the epidermis. Short chains of organic mercury penetrate the erythrocyte membrane and bind to hemoglobin. The substance is fat-soluble and easily crosses the placenta, the blood-brain barrier and into breast milk. Such mercury is concentrated in the brain and kidneys. The withdrawal of organic compounds from the body is quite complicated and lengthy. On average, it lasts for 70 days.
It should be noted that the greatest danger to humans is mercury vapor. They are toxic and cause severe poisoning. If such mercury enters the digestive organs, there will be no intoxication, since in the native state this substance is practically not absorbed.
But mercury salts, which are contained in some medicines, paints, seeds, food additives, cosmetics and other products, if ingested, cause poisoning.
In addition, mercury salts can be methylated by bacteria that inhabit environment. They process inorganic mercury waste and produce large amounts of methyl metal. Thus, there was a massive methylmercury poisoning in Japan's Minamata Bay, where people ate contaminated fish.
The main causes of mercury poisoning
The cause of mercury poisoning can be the ingestion of a substance into the body in various ways. You can get poisoned from several sources:
- household. This group includes mercury thermometers, blood pressure monitors and energy-saving lamps. All these devices contain little metal, but it is enough for the onset of intoxication if mercury leaks out of the broken device and is not promptly eliminated.
- Medical. Mercury is still widely used in medicine today. Previously, medicines such as calomel were made on its basis. Now it is used in the production of some vaccines, dental amalgam fillings, various medicines for outdoor use.
- food. Mercury compounds are accumulated in large quantities by marine inhabitants that live in polluted water - shellfish, fish. Even after heat treatment, eating them can threaten with poisoning.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning
Mercury poisoning can occur in a variety of ways. In addition, intoxication can occur in acute and chronic forms. The symptoms of these conditions are different.
Signs of acute mercury poisoning
Both mercury vapor and organic and inorganic compounds can cause acute poisoning. Metal vapor poisoning is the most common. In this case, various body systems are affected:
- respiratory organs. Their inflammation develops, interstitial pneumonia, which leads to respiratory failure. With severe vapor poisoning, hemoptysis, pulmonary edema may occur.
- Central nervous system . Mercury vapor causes hyperexcitability, tremor. Trembling can affect not only the fingers, but also the tongue, limbs, the whole body. Asthenic syndrome also develops - weakness, headache, drowsiness, memory impairment. The patient's temperature rises, may decrease arterial pressure, the process of sweating intensifies. With severe intoxication, lethargy with loss of consciousness and coma may develop.
- Digestive system . A metallic taste appears in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea develop. The mucous membranes are affected: gingivitis, stomatitis is formed, the gums bleed, salivation increases. In the esophagus, stomach, intestines, ulcers may appear, which can also bleed. The characteristic symptoms of mercury poisoning and its vapors in acute form are severe reddening of the gums and the appearance of a dark plaque on them.
In acute poisoning with organic compounds of mercury, signs appear, as in chronic intoxication. It is worth noting that such poisoning during pregnancy is especially dangerous, since methylated mercury freely crosses the placenta.
Prenatal poisoning provokes the development of cerebral palsy, as the cerebral cortex and cerebellum atrophy. Postnatal poisoning causes headaches, paresthesia, impaired vision, hearing, speech, neurasthenia, spasticity, paralysis, stupor, coma.
Symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning
General mercury poisoning with chronic ingestion of mercury over several months or even years is called mercuryism. Symptoms appear depending on the state of the human nervous system, his general health.
This metal can accumulate in parenchymal organs - kidneys and liver. Therefore, with prolonged exposure to poison in small quantities, kidney and liver failure develops.
Also, mercury vapor actively affects the central nervous system. This is manifested in the appearance of such symptoms: fatigue, general weakness, dizziness, headaches, emotional instability(self-doubt, depression, irritability, shyness, timidity, and so on).
Such a neurological picture was characteristic of workers who made felt hats in past centuries. Mercury was used to make the material. Therefore, such masters developed signs of chronic poisoning with mercury vapor and metal salts. This is how the expression "mad hatter" was born.
The consequence of mercury poisoning for a long time is trembling of the limbs, the so-called "mercury tremor". Later, this manifests itself in frequent urge to defecate, urinate. A person's sense of smell, skin sensitivity, taste are reduced. Also, cardiac activity is disturbed, blood pressure decreases, and the thyroid gland increases.
With prolonged exposure to the body of inorganic compounds of mercury, the same neurological changes are characteristic, increased salivation, loss of teeth, stomatitis, gingivitis, generalized rash, hypertrichosis, profuse sweating are also added, feet and hands swell.
Features of the treatment of mercury poisoning
If mercury poisoning is suspected, urgent hospitalization of the victim is necessary. Symptoms can grow rapidly and lead to death. Therefore, help in case of mercury poisoning should be provided only by doctors in a hospital setting.
The goal of treatment is to reduce the absorption of mercury, to protect tissues as much as possible from the spread of absorbed metal, and to remove the toxic substance from the organs. As a rule, complex therapy is used.
At the prehospital stage, it is necessary to lay the victim down and remove the remnants of the poison. If metal salts have entered the digestive organs, if possible, induce vomiting and rinse the stomach while waiting for the doctor. If the poisoning occurred with mercury vapor, then you need to take the patient out of the contaminated room into fresh air. You can also wash the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth and exposed skin with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or running water.
In the hospital, treatment for mercury poisoning is reduced to the following measures:
- The use of extracorporeal detoxification, hemosorption, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, lymphosorption.
- Therapy with antidotes. As a rule, Unithiol, EDTA, Sodium thiosulfate, D-Penicillamine are used.
- Washing the gastrointestinal tract through a probe with plenty of water with the addition of egg white or sodium thiosulfate, magnesium oxide, an antidote solution against metals.
- Introduction by means of a probe of water with magnesium sulfate and activated carbon.
- Plentiful drinking of liquid - rosehip infusion, glucose solution. The use of mucous unsalted soups.
- Use of high siphon enemas with tannin solution or activated charcoal.
- Prolonged administration of a solution of sodium chloride, polyglucin, glucose through droppers.
- Forcing diuresis by intravenous administration of Lasix.
- The introduction of intravenous ascorbic acid, thiamine bromide. When bleeding, vitamins K and R are added.
- The fight against acute renal failure: diathermy of the kidneys, pararenal novocaine blockade, the introduction of protein hydrolysates, colloidal suspensions, hardware hemodialysis, surgical decapsulation of the kidneys.
- Massive bloodletting with exchange transfusions of citrated blood (up to a liter per session).
- The introduction of cardiac drugs intravenously and through droppers.
- Tracheostomy in the event of laryngeal edema, tracheal intubation. If there are indications - controlled breathing.
- Cauterization of ulcers, mouthwash for stomatitis and gingivitis.
Prevention of mercury poisoning
The best way to prevent mercury poisoning is to follow safety regulations at potentially hazardous plants. It is also recommended to replace household mercury thermometers with electronic ones, and energy-saving lamps use with great care.
It is important to explain to the child that mercury is dangerous, so that if the thermometer or lamp breaks, he does not hide this fact from you. Otherwise, it can lead to severe poisoning of all family members. If a device containing mercury crashed and it spilled out, then urgent measures must be taken to eliminate the metal.
- Get everyone out of the room.
- Close doors and open windows.
- It is unacceptable to collect mercury for children, pregnant women and people who suffer from serious chronic diseases.
- It is necessary to isolate the poured metal in rubber gloves, using a sealed glass container.
- In order not to inhale mercury vapor, be sure to wear a medical mask or cotton-gauze bandage.
- It is recommended to wear shoe covers on your feet.
- You need to collect metal using pieces of paper. You can also use a patch. At the same time, the balls are glued to a sticky surface.
- All objects that have been in contact with mercury must be collected in an airtight polyethylene bag.
- It is imperative to call the sanitary and epidemiological service or emergency personnel to carry out additional cleaning of the premises and disposal of mercury.
It is very important to know what to do in case of mercury poisoning. Devices containing this metal surround us everywhere. Their damage can lead to poisoning. It is also often possible to get intoxication with this substance at work or by eating low-quality food, medicines. The ability not to get confused and to provide assistance to the victim in time will save his life.
Mercury is a substance belonging to the first hazard class. When exposed to the respiratory organs of a person or the skin, poisoning of the whole organism occurs, followed by serious complications, up to death. Mercury poisoning has a number of characteristic signs that everyone should be aware of. In addition, it is important to be able to act and react correctly in a situation where a thermometer is broken at home.
Features of poisoning
Mercury is actively used in production. In this case, metal salts are much stronger than oxides. In every house, in addition to a mercury thermometer, there are devices such as fluorescent lamps, which also use mercury vapor. Therefore, there are quite often cases of acute and chronic poisoning. Metal vapors are able to penetrate intact skin. In this case, the symptoms develop rather slowly. It is much worse when the pale silvery substance is ingested by swallowing or through the mucous membrane. With a direct hit in the blood, a person can die in the shortest possible time, if the toxic blow goes to the liver, then there is an opportunity to save a person. Even in small doses, mercury, especially its vapor, can lead to serious disruption of the entire body. Therefore, at the first sign of mercury vapor poisoning, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The main causes of poisoning
A substance can enter the human body in the following ways:
- household source. Mercury is used in many household devices. At the same time, its content is insignificant, but this is quite enough to get serious health problems. Such devices include thermometers, blood pressure monitors, as well as energy-saving lamps.
- Medical. To this day, this metal is actively used in the production of some vaccines, as well as external drugs. Including a conventional dental amalgam filling also consists of not a large number mercury.
- Food. Sea fish and mollusks that are in environmentally polluted water bodies actively accumulate this dangerous substance in their tissues. Even after heat treatment, mercury is not removed, which can lead to signs of poisoning in humans.
In addition, this hazardous substance is also used in the chemical and agricultural industries (production of pesticides). Such occupational mercury poisoning is common if people do not adhere to safety measures and do not follow the recommendations of doctors. So, for example, it is advised to rinse the mouth with a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate). This partially neutralizes the harmful effects of the poison, which may have settled on the oral mucosa.
Symptoms of acute poisoning
Many manifestations testify to the fact that intoxication of the body has occurred. The most striking picture is when a large dose of a substance enters the body or inhalation of mercury vapor. Symptoms of mercury poisoning are as follows:
- General weakness;
- dizziness and pain;
- Lack of appetite;
- Pain while trying to swallow;
- The gums swell and bleed;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Profuse salivation and taste of metal in the mouth.
Acute mercury poisoning is diagnosed within a few hours after the substance enters the body. After a couple of hours, the symptoms are complicated by the appearance of severe pain in the abdomen, as well as with blood. Inflammation of the lung tissue begins, shortness of breath occurs, as well as chills and the appearance of a temperature of 38-40 * C. An experienced doctor can immediately identify the first signs of vapor poisoning, but in some cases additional diagnostics are required, for example, a urine test for the content of a harmful substance.
Symptoms of mercury vapor poisoning often develop into chronic liver pathologies, problems with the activity of the gallbladder, blood vessels and even. In severe poisoning, the victim may fall into a coma. Mercury salt poisoning (when ingested) causes severe abdominal pain, bloody and vomiting with blood clots. If the substance gets on the skin of a child, then he may develop a generalized rash, irritation, hypertrichosis and scaly.
It should be noted that in a child, unlike an adult, the manifestations of poisoning are much stronger and develop faster, which requires urgent resuscitation. Only timely administered antidote will help reduce the negative effects on the body.
Chronic poisoning with mercury vapor
With prolonged exposure to mercury vapor, poisoning of the body occurs, the manifestation of which directly depends on the person. Chronic mercury poisoning can be expressed by the following symptoms:
- General weakness, increased fatigue and constant fatigue;
- Emotional disorders in the form of self-doubt, increased irritability;
- Dizziness and migraine attacks;
- Drowsiness;
- restless sleep;
- Tearfulness;
- Emotional instability.
In addition, the loss of smell, memory impairment and decreased attention are possible. Often in children and adults, the heart rate increases, the thyroid gland increases and sweating increases. Characteristic is the "mercury tremor" - trembling of the fingers, eyelids and lips during excitement.
The thermometer in the apartment crashed - what to do?
Thermometers are most often used in everyday life, which are often damaged due to the fragility of the surface. Usually people panic the moment they see shiny balls. But, knowing certain recommendations, you can avoid mercury poisoning from a thermometer, especially since its amount is insignificant. The main thing is not to touch the substance with your hands, but immediately put on gloves. It is also important to use a cotton-gauze bandage to avoid inhaling harmful fumes. The next steps are:
- Get everyone out of the room. Close doors and open windows.
- Carefully collect the balls. To do this, use paper and plaster. You just need to apply adhesive tape to the substance.
- All items that have been in contact with mercury should be placed in a plastic bag.
- Then dial the number of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and explain the situation, adhering to all their recommendations.
- If there are signs of mercury poisoning from a thermometer, you must call an ambulance.
Important! In no case should you remove the toxic substance with a vacuum cleaner or a broom, or throw mercury balls into the sewer. Things that have been poisoned must be disposed of.
Treatment for mercury poisoning
It is important to know what to do in case of mercury poisoning in order to reduce the negative impact of poisonous vapors during a critical situation.
It should be noted that the signs of mercury poisoning with a broken thermometer directly depend on the amount of exposure to the substance (inhalation of vapors). The average dose that can cause serious changes in the body and cause illness is 0.4 mg (2 mg in a thermometer).
First aid, in case of mercury poisoning from a thermometer, is as follows:
- Washing the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose, and exposed skin with running water. It is recommended to use a weak solution of potassium permanganate to neutralize the poison.
- If there are violations of the respiratory or cardiovascular system, then it is important to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and slow blood circulation.
- To reduce the aggressive effect of the substance on internal organs it is necessary to wash the stomach with a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate).
- Take the antidote "Unithiol", which is administered intravenously.
- The use of diuretics, which will help eliminate toxins from the body. The antidote "Unithiol" is administered intramuscularly.
- Hemodialysis as needed.
Treatment of poisoning when mercury enters the human body from a thermometer consists in the subsequent elimination of the symptoms of the disease of individual organs. So, with the manifestation of a bacterial infection, a course of levomycetin is prescribed (7 days), along with probiotics that restore the normal intestinal flora. To restore health in case of intoxication, the following medications are prescribed: tetatsin-calcium, unitiol, succimer, penicillamine, sodium thiosulfate. Also intravenous glucose with vitamin C is administered, and vitamin B intramuscularly.
Prevention
To exclude the possibility of mercury poisoning from a thermometer with subsequent dangerous symptoms, it is necessary to remember safety precautions and carefully use mercury-containing devices. It is especially important that the child does not play with them, since his symptoms and treatment are much more difficult.
If it is not possible to call the SES, then you should carefully clean the place where the disaster occurred. It is important not only to pack tightly all the substance and objects in contact with it, but also to wash all surfaces with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. During the week, it is recommended to ventilate the room well.
Mercury poisoning is a severe disorder accompanied by functional disorders of the body. At the household level, it often appears after a person has broken a thermometer and has not collected a toxic substance in time. Requires special vigilance, treatment is carried out within the hospital.
Characteristics of mercury
Represents chemical element second group of Mendeleev's periodic table. At room temperature, it acquires a liquid state of aggregation and gradually evaporates into the environment, the color is silvery-white.
Mercury is rarely found in the earth's crust, as it does not bind well with other substances. Larger quantities are found in the Caucasus, Slovenia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine.
Mercury is inactive, slightly soluble in acids, reacts with oxygen, halogens. Forms complex inorganic compounds with an alkaline solution of potassium permanganate.
Mercury in everyday life
Usually a person does not encounter this element, especially in those concentrations in which damage to organs occurs. However, mercury is widely used in the production of:
- It is used in the creation of galvanic batteries for the correct processing and smelting of metals.
- Found in small amounts in fluorescent lamps for a better glow.
- Often found in mercury thermometers to change the temperature of the body and the environment.
- It used to be one of the main components of dental fillings.
The above points imply the norm and the complete absence negative impact per person in Everyday life. But do not forget that some products, if not properly transported or stored, can accumulate heavy metals and cause severe poisoning.
The specific effect of mercury vapor on the body
The pathogenesis is simple, if you know some of the features of the chemical. At a certain concentration of mercury vapor (0.25 mg / m 3), the tissues of the upper and lower respiratory tract are initially affected, and an active inflammatory reaction is formed. Further, as the amount of the substance and the duration of exposure increase, the element penetrates through the mucous membranes and skin into the general bloodstream, where it spreads to various organs.
The toxic effect of mercury is due to its reaction with proteins that contain sulfur. Complex organic matter is no longer able to perform its former functions (enzymatic, transport, construction, and others), which disrupts homeostasis and adequate tissue function.
Symptoms of mercury vapor poisoning
The clinical picture directly depends on the amount of metal that could penetrate the body, the sensitivity and state of health of the patient, as well as the duration of exposure. Downstream, mercury poisoning is divided into two main types.
Acute poisoning
Signs appear in the first 2 hours. Symptoms of mercury toxicity include:
- weakness, malaise;
- headache;
- decrease or lack of appetite;
- profuse salivation;
- bitterness in the mouth;
- nausea;
- vomiting that does not bring relief;
- respiratory failure.
A little later, the victim's condition worsens, shortness of breath joins up to suffocation, chills, fever, a decrease in the volume of urine excreted, stool disorder (diarrhea mixed with blood). In the last stages, there is a violation of consciousness.
In a child, especially a baby, the symptoms of mercury vapor poisoning develop faster and are much more severe than in an adult.
Chronic intoxication
This condition has its own medical term - mercurialism. The disease involves the gradual accumulation of mercury in cells and tissues over a period of two months or more. Sometimes it is difficult for a doctor to understand during the initial examination what caused the pathology. The most sensitive area is the nervous system, in particular, the brain, in case of violation of the functioning of which a specific clinic occurs:
- weakness;
- drowsiness;
- sudden mood swings;
- migraine for no apparent reason;
- trembling of the upper and lower extremities;
- dizziness;
- increased fatigue under previous loads.
Chronic poisoning mainly affects people working in factories who do not properly follow the rules of safety and personal protection.
Effects
Without medical assistance, poisoning leads to long-term complications up to death.
When the quality of life worsens, the patient complains of a number of symptoms that interfere with normal work and rest, an occupational disease gradually develops.
Mercury negatively affects the growth of the fetus during pregnancy, which later ends with the formation of anomalies and pathologies. Miscarriage or premature birth is not ruled out.
Diagnostics
It is divided into two periods: early and late. At the initial stages, only clinical data, anamnesis of the disease and life are taken into account. Further, it is already possible to confirm poisoning with laboratory methods research. Mercury is determined in three types of biological material:
- hair
- blood;
- urine.
If we are talking about chronic poisoning, then there are three degrees of pathology, described in more detail just below in the form of a table.
| Stage | signs |
| First | Mild hand tremor |
| Minor disorders of the nervous system | |
| Volume of mercury in urine 150-300 mcg/l | |
| In the blood 8-15 mcg% | |
| In hair 2-8 mg/kg | |
| Second | Progression of changes in the functional activity of the nervous system |
| Sweeping tremor of the upper limbs | |
| polyneuropathy | |
| The amount of substance in the urine 300-600 mcg / l | |
| In the blood 15-30 mcg% | |
| In hair 8-30 mg/kg | |
| Third | Depression |
| Encephalopathy | |
| polyneuropathy | |
| Sweeping hand tremor | |
| Volume of metal in urine 600 µg/l | |
| In the blood 30.0 mcg% and above | |
| In hair 30 mg/kg or more |
For the acute course of poisoning, such a classification is not typical, since the symptoms of mercury poisoning appear immediately and progress very quickly. Differential diagnosis is carried out with other types of intoxication and neurological conditions of organic origin.
Treatment
It is divided into two main stages: pre-hospital and inpatient. It implies oral and parenteral administration of specialized medicines, adherence to dietary nutrition.
First aid
If symptoms appear, you should immediately call a doctor at home or go to the hospital yourself.
If the poisoning occurred due to the use of an infected product, it is necessary to carry out a couple of measures at home first:
- cleanse the stomach with a weak soda solution;
- after five or seven minutes, drink the sorbent that is in the house, in accordance with the instructions for use.
Further administration of drugs is carried out according to indications and only by medical personnel. There is a special antidote called Unithiol that binds to the metal, forms a non-toxic compound and excretes it in the urine.
In case of respiratory failure, connection to a ventilator is required. If the work of the cardiovascular system suffers, beta-blockers and aminophylline are usually introduced. To reduce the severity of neurological symptoms, sedatives and tranquilizers are used.
Medical therapy
It is carried out in a hospital, less often on an outpatient basis. The tactics of treatment by and large depends on the manifestations and is aimed at cleansing the body of heavy metal.
In violation of diuresis and signs of dehydration, diuretic medications are indicated, as well as intravenous drip of saline solutions: sodium chloride, calcium, potassium. The dosage depends on the severity of the course of the disease.
If the nervous system is affected, neuroleptics continue to be administered, for example, Amizin, Fesonepam and their analogues. Relief of well-being occurs on the fifth - sixth day.
The intake of sorbents at this stage is no longer justified, since the toxic influence from the outside has been stopped, and there is practically no mercury in the cavity of the gastrointestinal tract - everything has been absorbed into the general bloodstream.
Prevention
It includes not only compliance with the rules of personal protection, but also the requirements for work in the workplace. It is worth paying special attention to the following points:
- continuous monitoring of air pollution;
- equipment sealing;
- improvement of overalls;
- regular cleaning of walls, floors, various surfaces;
- spraying a solution of ferric chloride and potassium permanganate.
It is forbidden to smoke and eat food within the workshop, special places and rooms are allocated for this. Employees should regularly undergo medical examinations once a year in order to identify occupational diseases at the earliest stages. Before contact with mercury, people with pathologies such as:
- addiction;
- alcoholism in a chronic form;
- mental disorders: schizophrenia, manic-depressive syndrome;
- diseases of the oral cavity, in particular, teeth and gums;
- recurrent pathologies of the skin;
- gastritis in the acute stage.
Such people are given a temporary or life-long withdrawal from such work.
To prevent mercury poisoning from a thermometer, it is necessary to use the device correctly and not to give it to young children.
Expert opinion
Mercury poisoning is to be feared just like any other type of intoxication. There is no need to delay treatment, since the disease ends in death in a few percent of cases.
Therapy for mercury poisoning folk methods, homeopathic preparations not suitable, the metal is very quickly absorbed into the bloodstream or enters the respiratory tract. There is not yet a single prescription that can act as a specific antidote.
The course of the pathology largely depends on the provision of first aid to the victim. There should always be one or two types of sorbent at home.
Do not buy questionable products in the market or from hands. smoked meats, dried fish highly concentrated toxic compounds.
Questions from readers
How to detect excess concentrations of mercury vapor in a room?
An express method has been created that involves the use of test strips. You can buy them through websites, they are quite rare in ordinary pharmacies. The procedure for using the analyzer is as follows:
- open the package;
- remove one sealed test strip;
- cut the package and slide out the sheet according to the instructions;
- place in the test room;
- note the time when the indicator changed color, compare the results with the attached table.
All manipulations must be performed in compliance with safety rules, it is necessary to wear overalls and a respirator.
How much mercury is needed for poisoning?
All data are established by the Ministry of Health and recorded in a number of sanitary and epidemiological requirements. According to the documents, acute mercury poisoning occurs at a vapor concentration of 0.13-0.80 mg/m3. Fatal outcome is possible by inhalation of 2.5 g. For chronic form disease data range from 0.001 to 0.005 mg/m3.
How long does it take for mercury poisoning to show up?
As mentioned above, it all depends on the amount of the substance and the condition of the body of the victim. Usually, in an acute course, the first complaints come in 2-3 hours. If we are talking about chronic poisoning, then the clinical picture is formed from two months or more.
How to dispose of collected mercury from a broken thermometer?
For all questions of metal recycling, please contact the regional Ministry of Emergency Situations. It is forbidden to pour the substance into the sink, throw it away with other garbage. You can deliver mercury yourself, collect it carefully in full in a plastic bag, pour a chlorine-containing agent into it and place it in a few more bags. In the absence of chlorine, the element can be collected in water and also packed tightly.
If a person is afraid that particles of mercury are still preserved in his apartment, you can call specialists from the environmental service to measure and process the premises.
Mercury. What do we know about her? Most of us know from school that it is a heavy metal in liquid form... and one of the most toxic substances on the planet: mercury poisoning is very serious!
Mercury evaporates easily at room temperature. Its vapors settle on the surface of the premises, can penetrate into various fabrics, paper, wood. Mercury vapor poisoning carries a number of severe consequences and threats to human health. Where can you meet this? dangerous substance? What to do in case of mercury poisoning? What medicines are effective? We will talk about this and much more in this article.
What determines the severity of poisoning?
- dose of mercury;
- type of mercury (organic, inorganic);
- the age of the victim;
- duration of exposure;
- ways of penetration of the poison into the body (skin contact, inhalation, ingestion).
Where to look for you, Mercury?
In ancient times, alchemists called mercury "Mercury", "silver water" or "fast silver". They tried to extract gold from mercury by adding sulfur and arsenic to it. How long the alchemists lived after their experiments, history is silent.
Nowadays, the temperature thermometer is the most famous "mercury" item, and mercury poisoning in children most often occurs precisely through the "fault" of an ordinary mercury thermometer!
Mercury poisoning: types and causes
Mercury poisoning is divided into acute and chronic. Acute is usually encountered due to banal inattention, for example, breaking a thermometer in the house. Chronic mercury poisoning is more common in violation of safety regulations, lack of ventilation and equipment malfunction in the workplace.
The list of sectors of the national economy in which inorganic and organic mercury compounds are used is quite solid:
- industry;
- Agriculture;
- metallurgy;
- pharmacy;
- the medicine.
In addition, rarely, but still, there are cases of suicide or deliberate poisoning.
In case of violation of safety regulations at work, occupational mercury poisoning is possible.
Ocean scientists are sounding the alarm: the waters of the seas and oceans are polluted with various chemicals, including mercury compounds. Eating seafood caught in polluted waters can cause foodborne acute mercury poisoning.
By the way...
There is also a "mercury" disease - Minamata. The disease “owes” its name to Japan. In the fifties of the last century, one of the industrial plants poured production waste directly into Minamata Bay. One of these substances was methylmercury. For many years, no one knew about the contamination of fish with mercury and did not connect the strange illness of local residents with severe poisoning. Patients complained of numbness of the arms and legs, worsening of swallowing, vision and hearing, and could not move. Many of the patients died. Minamata disease is a classic example of acute mercury poisoning.
Mercury vapors enter the body through the respiratory, skin and digestive organs. This insidious metal is excreted through the large intestine, kidneys, salivary glands, With breast milk. Mercury compounds can accumulate in the body. "Mercury depots" are found in the spleen, lungs, bones, liver and kidneys. Under influence adverse factors mercury enters the blood in small parts, exacerbating a person.
Even minimal amounts of mercury can be a serious threat to the intrauterine development of the fetus. When the mother is poisoned, the child experiences developmental delay, deafness, epilepsy, speech disorders, blindness and convulsions.
Good to know! Enterosgel in the fight against poisoning
Enterosgel has a porous structure. Substances of medium molecular weight bind on its surface: mercury salts, bacterial toxins, and many molecules that are toxic to the body. The drug is recommended by doctors for the treatment of poisoning with mercury compounds.
The first signs of mercury poisoning make themselves felt in a couple of hours.
In a child and an adult appear:
- dry cough;
- vomit;
- salivation;
- pain in the abdomen;
- chills;
- dyspnea;
- headache.
And here is what the symptoms of mercury poisoning look like with a broken thermometer:
- bleeding from the gums;
- sweating;
- increased urination;
- the appearance of blood impurities in the feces;
- blurred vision;
- chest pain.
How does mercury poisoning manifest itself in chronic intoxication with "silver water"? Chronic intoxication with small doses of "mercury" is called mercurialism.
Signs of mercury vapor poisoning include:
- fatigue;
- insomnia;
- depression
- anxiety and other neurological disorders;
- is developing.
One cruel Chinese emperor had a curious hobby - to arrange boat rides on a lake filled with pure mercury. Scientists suspect that his inherent cruelty, bordering on insanity, was just the result of poisoning with mercury vapor.
The main manifestations of chronic mercury poisoning:
- skin rashes;
- photophobia;
- profuse sweating;
- swelling of the limbs;
- violation of tactile sensitivity of the skin;
- taste change;
- hair loss;
- interruptions in the work of the heart;
- frequent fainting.
By the way...
Several centuries ago, many diseases, including syphilis, were treated with "mercury" injections and mercury vapor. It was from chronic mercury poisoning that Mozart died, trying to recover from this infectious disease.
Consequences of mercury poisoning:
- deterioration of the work of the endocrine glands and the liver, brain, blood-forming organs.
- decreased concentration;
- memory impairment;
- with excitement - trembling of the eyelids, lips and fingers.
Renal symptoms of mercury poisoning are edema and increased blood pressure.
Possible and allergic reaction on mercury - as a rule, it is manifested by keratinization of the skin of the face, soles, palms, measles-like rashes and the formation of ulcers on the skin.
Do you know?
British scientists claim that US President Abraham Lincoln's fits of rage were associated with taking an antidepressant containing high doses of mercury.
First aid for mercury poisoning
The victim must be taken out of the room contaminated with vapors, an ambulance should be called and Enterosgel sorbent should be given. Products with enveloping properties are also suitable - kissel, raw chicken egg, milk.
What to do if you broke the thermometer in the apartment?
First of all, put aside the angry tirades, clean up and collect mercury!
First of all, everyone should be taken out of the “dangerous” room and the room should be properly ventilated. The door must be tightly closed to prevent toxic fumes from entering other rooms. The gap between the floor and the door should be closed with a damp towel.
Take care of your health too: protect your nose and mouth with a cotton-gauze bandage or a regular thick cloth and put on rubber gloves. When cleaning, do not use a broom and a vacuum cleaner - mercury "droplets" must be collected manually. By the way, it is most convenient to do this with a band-aid or pieces of paper folded into an envelope. The collected mercury must be placed in a glass jar with a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), tightly closing the jar with a lid, and then handed over to the sanitary and epidemiological station.
It is forbidden to throw the collected mercury into the trash can or drain it into the sewer!
When removing traces of the "mercury cataclysm", monitor the condition of family members. When the first appears, immediately call an ambulance.
Mercury poisoning from a thermometer. Symptoms
It should be said right away that with timely cleansing of the premises from heavy metal, intoxication can be avoided. If the child does not admit to his deed, then the nervous system will react to the poisoning with general weakness, headache and lethargy. In severe acute mercury poisoning from a thermometer - symptoms of depression of consciousness, coma.
Signs of mercury poisoning with a broken thermometer from the digestive organs:
- vomit;
- liquid stool;
- intense pain in the abdomen;
- profuse salivation.
In addition, symptoms of damage to the oral mucosa will indicate mercury poisoning - over time, a dark coating forms on the gums.
By the way, lead poisoning also changes the gum mucosa. There is a "lead border" - a dark strip at the front teeth. Chronic lead poisoning causes the "lead triad": lead colic, lead border and lead color (earthy complexion with yellowness). But, back to the symptoms and consequences of mercury intoxication.
By inhaling mercury vapor from a thermometer, you can "get" the development of bronchitis or pneumonia, accompanied by a dry cough.
At high concentrations of mercury vapor from a thermometer, pulmonary edema or hemoptysis occurs.
In case of poisoning with organic compounds containing mercury, neurological disorders, respiratory and digestive disorders, and dermatitis occur more often. These substances are very toxic: for example, there is a case when a laboratory assistant accidentally spilled dimethylmercury on his gloves, which eventually caused visual impairment, speech, gait and death.
How to Diagnose Mercury Salt Poisoning
Doctors perform tests to detect mercury in urine, hair, and blood. At the same time, the level of toxic metal may not increase immediately, but after some time, sometimes even after several weeks from the moment of contact.
Mercury intoxication. Treatment
Doctors rely more on symptoms, and treatment is given as soon as the source of poisoning is identified. After hospitalization, the victim is observed by the doctors of the intensive care unit, a nephrologist and a toxicologist. In case of mercury vapor poisoning, complex treatment complexones, sorbents, penicylamine.
Prevention of mercury poisoning
Observe safety measures when using mercury devices! If possible, measure body temperature with an electronic thermometer and replace fluorescent lighting with modern ones LED lamps(by the way, the latter will help you save a lot on electricity!)
Make an effort to ensure that the thermometer and first aid kit with medicines are not available to the child. Explain to the baby that the thermometer is not a toy, but if it happens that the thermometer is broken, this fact cannot be hidden: you must immediately inform your parents about it!
If you are forced to come into contact with mercury by the nature of your profession, use personal protective equipment and systematically cleanse your body with Enterosgel.