Mercury poisoning facts for kids

Mercury poisoning happens when there's too much mercury in your body. Mercury is a natural metal. But too much of it can make you sick. It can affect your brain and other parts of your body.

What is Mercury?

Mercury is a shiny, silver-white metal. It's unique because it's a liquid at room temperature. You might have seen it in old thermometers. Mercury is found naturally in the Earth's crust. It can also be released into the air and water. This happens from volcanoes or human activities.

How Mercury Gets Into Our Bodies

Most often, people get too much mercury from eating certain types of fish. When mercury gets into water, tiny living things absorb it. Then, small fish eat those tiny living things. Bigger fish eat the smaller fish. This makes mercury build up in the larger fish.

Some fish have more mercury than others. Large, long-lived fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish often have higher levels. Eating these fish too often can lead to mercury buildup.

Besides fish, mercury can also be found in the air. It can come from burning coal or from some industrial processes. Breathing in mercury vapor can also be harmful. Sometimes, it's used in old dental fillings. It can also be found in some older products.

Signs of Mercury Poisoning

When someone has too much mercury, their body shows signs. These signs can be different for everyone. They also depend on how much mercury is in the body.

Common Symptoms

Some common signs include:

• Pink color on the cheeks, fingertips, and toes.
• Swelling in the hands and feet.
• Sweating a lot for no clear reason.
• Making too much saliva (spit).
• A fast heartbeat.
• High blood pressure.
• Some people might even lose their hair.

Other Effects

Mercury can also affect the brain and nerves. This might cause:

• Feeling shaky or having tremors.
• Trouble with memory or thinking clearly.
• Feeling shy or anxious.
• Changes in mood.
• Trouble with coordination.

Young children and babies are more sensitive to mercury. It can affect their development. That's why it's very important to be careful.

Staying Safe from Mercury

There are ways to reduce your exposure to mercury.

Smart Fish Choices

One main way is to choose fish wisely. The EPA and FDA give advice on this. They suggest eating fish that are lower in mercury. Examples include salmon, light canned tuna, cod, and pollock. It's good to eat a variety of fish. This way, you get the health benefits without too much mercury.

Other Safety Tips

• Be careful with old thermometers or broken fluorescent light bulbs. These can contain mercury. If one breaks, ask an adult for help.
• If you live near an old industrial site, be aware. Mercury might be in the soil or water.
• Always wash your hands after touching anything that might have mercury.

What Happens If Someone Has Mercury Poisoning?

If a doctor thinks someone has mercury poisoning, they will do tests. These tests can measure mercury levels in the blood or urine.

Treatment depends on how severe the poisoning is. The first step is to stop any further exposure to mercury. Sometimes, doctors use special medicines. These medicines help the body remove mercury. This process is called chelation therapy. It helps bind the mercury so the body can get rid of it.

It's important to get help early. This can prevent long-term health problems.

Images for kids

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  EPA workers clean up residential mercury spill in 2004

See also

In Spanish: Envenenamiento por mercurio para niños