Mercury Analysis Instruments
- Hg Analyst Software
- VM 3000 - Mercury Vapor
- Tracker 3000IP - Portable
- UT 3000 - Ultra Trace Level
- AULA 254 - Laboratory Analyzer
- LA 254 - Laboratory Analyzer
- PA 2 - Online Water Analysis
- MC 3000 - Mercury Calibrator
- MMS - Mercury Monitoring
- MMS NG - Natural Gas
- Rental Mercury Detectors
- Calibration & Service
Mercury Cleanup and Decon.
- Personal Mercury Test Kits
- Mercury Screening Division
- Mercury Cleanup Division
- Mercury Awareness Training
- MeDex 80
- Fluorescent Bulb Crusher
- MERCON X mercury cleanup
Portable VOC Detector Rentals
Calibration Gas Cylinders
Other
Toxicity of Mercury
MERCURY
Number 80 on the "periodic table" of elements
Mercury Toxicity
Mercury has no known essential functions to the body. Mercury probably affects the protein structure that in turn may interfere with functions relating to protein production. Mercury has a strong affinity for sulfhydryl, amine, phosphoryl, and carboxyl groups. It affects a wide range of enzyme systems which can cause injury to cell membranes. However, none of mercury's specific body interactions are clearly defined, though the main problems seem to result from its attack on the nervous system. Mercury may also interfere with some functions of selenium, and can be an immunosuppressant.
Mercury Toxicity Symptoms
There are many processes and symptoms of mercury toxicity. Poisoning can come from four categories of mercury:
- metallic or elemental mercury - this is relatively
mild. Inorganic mercury, such as mercury chlorides
primarily affect the kidneys. Organo-mercurials, such as mercury
salts in diuretics or fungicides convert to inorganic mercury
and short chain alkyl mercury compounds, of which methyl
mercury is the most toxic, more so than ethyl or diethyl
mercury.
- Acute symptoms are caused mainly by mercuric chloride or
methyl mercury exposure. Chronic, lower level exposure may lead
to specific acute symptoms or to subtle renal and nervous system
problems. Inhaled mercury has a different effect from ingested
mercury, for which most symptoms are related to the
gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system. Inhaling high
levels of metallic mercury (in an industrial setting or a
dentist's office) can cause acute symptoms, such as fever,
chills, coughing, and chest pain. With low, long-term exposure,
more subtle symptoms such as fatigue, headache, insomnia,
nervousness, impaired judgment and coordination, emotional
liability, and loss of sex drive, may be experienced. Ingested
mercury may cause stomatitis and gastrointestinal inflammation,
with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea,
progressing to neurological problems. These symptoms, which are
often confused with psychogenic causes, are referred to as
"micromercurialism."
- Mild or early symptoms of mercury intoxication
include fatigue, insomnia, irritability, anorexia, loss of sex
drive, headache, and forgetfulness or poor memory. This may lead
to other nervous system symptoms, such as dizziness, tremors, in
coordination, and depression. It then progress to numbness and
tingling, most commonly of the hands, feet, or lips; and to
further weakness, worse memory and coordination, reduced hearing
and speech, paralysis, and psychosis. Mercury toxicity may be a
factor in multiple sclerosis. Other problems of severe mercury
intoxication are kidney and brain damage, as well as birth
defects in pregnant women. The subtle and nervous system
symptoms from low-level chronic exposure may be more common than
we realize.
Check out the mercury in your body with our easy to use, home-based, Personal Mercury Test kit
Sample of a HMT Mercury Test kit with color strip for results analysis