Mercury Poisoning - What Do Fish, Fillings and Antiques Have in Common?
Posted: Tuesday, June 19, 2007
by Lorrie Davids
Now and then we see a warning in the news about the mercury levels in fish and dental fillings along with advice to minimize our risk of mercury poisoning. Now there is a new warning from the CDC based on a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the study our heirlooms may be a source of mercury poisoning. Only a small amount can cause health problems and is considered a hazardous material. Mercury, also called quicksilver because of its fluidity and difficulty to handle, can be found in the back of old mirrors. Old thermometers and barometers also contain the substance. Years ago vials filled with mercury were used as weights in clock pendulums. And mercury was used as the ballast in the bases of lamps.
Direct contact with mercury is dangerous because it is absorbed through the skin. Mercury was used in times past to clear out intestinal obstructions and has been an ingredient in medications. Mercury was a cosmetic ingredient in the US until outlawed and some imported cosmetics still contain it.
Mercury poisoning can affect the central nervous system, the endocrine system, kidneys and other organs. Long time or heavy exposure to mercury can cause brain damage and death.
As a kid I played with mercury. You could smoosh it, or try to, and it would move as if it had a mind of its own. A poison? That never entered my mind. I turned out fine and all my friends will attest to it!
According to the study our heirlooms may be a source of mercury poisoning. Only a small amount can cause health problems and is considered a hazardous material. Mercury, also called quicksilver because of its fluidity and difficulty to handle, can be found in the back of old mirrors. Old thermometers and barometers also contain the substance. Years ago vials filled with mercury were used as weights in clock pendulums. And mercury was used as the ballast in the bases of lamps.
Mercury poisoning can affect the central nervous system, the endocrine system, kidneys and other organs. Long time or heavy exposure to mercury can cause brain damage and death.
As a kid I played with mercury. You could smoosh it, or try to, and it would move as if it had a mind of its own. A poison? That never entered my mind. I turned out fine and all my friends will attest to it!
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)LM, I seem to remember my elementary teacher giving us mercury to hold and play with as part of a science lesson! But I'm not sure my friends would attest to my normalcy.
My friends are quiet on that topic. Maybe we are the only normal ones around?
Much like asbestos, people once played with these substances without a worry in the world. Of course there are reasons why the life expectancy of the average person has increased. We've stopped swallowing mercury, inhaling asbestos and most of us are now juggling far less swords on a day to day basis. On a serious note: mercury can also affect pregnancy as high levels can be very harmful to the development of the featus. This is one of the main reasons they suggest you don't eat deep sea fish such as swordfish, because over time these fish can build up dangerous levels of mercury that we then consume.Thanks for your comment, Ben, and your information. Seems we have to worry about how everything affects us anymore.
This is interesting, because my sister and cousin and I all recently talked about how we played with mercury as kids (in the 60's). What was our father thinking when he brought it home and handed it over?? I don't remember if I personally touched it, but I know my sister did and I certainly had my face down by the sidewalk smelling the vapors as she pushed it around. 40 years later - we seem okay -- but we'll never know that the reason we both didn't graduate top of our class from Harvard was due to the mercury and not our lack of drive and ambition.Thanks for reading and commenting, Anon. I know, I played with the stuff also. I almost think I'd rather take my chances with mercury with all the bad press about everything else that touches our lives. It is a wonder any of us are alive!
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