Mercury is the only metal that exists in a liquid state even at room temperatures. Though mercury is found in the nature only as compounds, it is extracted and put to many industrial uses. Since mercury is a metal, it is a good conductor of electricity and its unique liquid form opens up many options for its industrial use. The industrial pollution of the waters from an organic compound called methyl mercury is one of the main causes of mercury poisoning.

When the water bodies become polluted with mercury, the fish in and around that water body ingest methyl mercury which gets deposited in the tissues of the fish. When the contaminated fish are eaten, methyl mercury gradually accumulates in human bodies and starts showing its implications. Obviously, depending upon the rate of ingestion of mercury, its effects become evident at a similar rate.

In 1970s, when a contaminated wheat crop was eaten by the Iraqis, almost 6000 of them fell sick and about 500 of them lost their lives. Another lesser known episode of methyl mercury occurred when Japanese at the contaminated fish from the bay of Minamata. The disease from methyl mercury poisoning from that episode is now commonly called Minamata disease.

The inorganic metal form of mercury may cause gastroenteritis. The inorganic form of mercury is not absorbed by the intestines.

Diseases caused by mercury poisoning can be severely acute, based on the amount of mercury present in the body. If mercury is inhaled in its vapor form, it can severely restrict the lung function making breathing extremely difficult, in which case the patient may die.

Kidney failures may also occur from mercury poisoning.

As soon as any of the symptoms of diseases caused by mercury poison start to emerge, one must seek medical attention as quickly as possible. The people who eat a lot of fish that might come from a contaminated water body are at the greatest risk. Exotic dishes made from larger fishes are also a common source of mercury poisoning. Cooking does not remove mercury from the ingredients of a dish.

Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning:

Visual impairment

Ataxia

Seizures

headaches

memory loss

Difficulty in breathing

Dermatitis

Neurotoxicity