Mercury Information
-
MERCURY
Number 80 on the "periodic table" of elements
Mercury or "quicksilver," is a shiny liquid metal that is a widespread environmental contaminant. The levels of mercury in our bodies today are much higher because of its greater use in recent times. Mercury is employed daily by medical and dental practices in thermometers, drugs and amalgam for fillings. It is also present in fungicides and pesticides and in some cosmetics. Mercury from industrial waste has contaminated our fresh- and salt-waters and to the plants and fish therein.
An average body contains about 10-15 mg. of mercury. This comes daily from our food, air, and water. Mercury is not well absorbed through the intestinal tract, only about 5-10 percent. Inhaled mercury fumes go into the blood, since it is soluble and passes through the lungs. Some mercury is retained in body tissues, mainly in the kidneys. The kidneys store about 50 percent of the body mercury. The blood, bones, liver, spleen, brain, and fat tissue also hold mercury. This potentially toxic metal does get into the brain and nerve tissue, so central nervous system symptoms may develop. Mercury can also get into a growing fetus and into breast milk. Mercury is eliminated daily through the urine and feces. Urine levels would show whether the body is actively working to eliminate it.
Mercury has the following effects (simplified) on the body:
- disruption of the nervous system:
- damage to brain functions - degradation of learning
abilities, personality changes, tremors, vision changes,
deafness, muscle in coordination and memory loss ;
- DNA and chromosomal damage - chromosomal damage is known
to cause mongolism;
- allergic reactions resulting in skin rashes, tiredness
and headaches;
- disrupting reproductive functions such as sperm damage,
birth defects and miscarriages
Toxicity Limits
The average overall daily intake is between 30-50 mcg. Acceptable levels are between 0.02 - 0.03 ppm depending on what was analyzed. Readings above 0.05 ppm should be cause for concern. Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal and concentration levels should be 0
- disruption of the nervous system:
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