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Mercury
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Poisoning Toxicology Environmental Health

Mercury

Mercury is a versatile element found in many products, but it poses significant risks to the nervous system, brain, and kidneys if exposure occurs.

Overview

Mercury is an element found in air, water, and soil that exists in several forms. Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid; when heated, it becomes a colorless, odorless gas. It also combines with other elements to form powders or crystals.

Common Uses

Mercury is utilized in many products and industries:

  • Metallic mercury is used in glass thermometers, silver dental fillings, and button batteries.
  • Mercury salts may be used in skin creams and ointments.

Health Risks and Exposure

Mercury in the air settles into water, where it can pass through the food chain and build up in fish, shellfish, and animals that eat fish. The nervous system is sensitive to all forms of mercury. Exposure to high levels can damage the brain and kidneys. Additionally, pregnant women can pass the mercury in their bodies to their babies.

Protection and Prevention

It is important to protect your family from mercury exposure by taking these steps:

  • Carefully handle and dispose of products that contain mercury.
  • Limit your consumption of fish with higher levels of mercury.

Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Frequently Asked Questions

Mercury toxicity is diagnosed primarily through laboratory analysis of whole blood or a 24-hour urine collection. Blood testing is the preferred method for detecting organic methylmercury from seafood consumption within the past several weeks, while 24-hour urine testing is standard for assessing elemental or inorganic mercury exposure from broken devices or industrial settings. Testing is indicated if a patient exhibits progressive paresthesias (numbness or tingling around the mouth and extremities), fine motor tremors, ataxia, memory deficits, or unexplained kidney dysfunction.
Immediately evacuate children and pets from the area, open all exterior windows to ventilate the room for 15 minutes, and shut off central heating or air conditioning. Never use a household vacuum cleaner, broom, or washing machine, as sweeping or suctioning aerosolizes mercury droplets into toxic vapors. Put on disposable gloves, use stiff cardboard, index cards, or duct tape to scoop up the mercury beads and broken glass, seal the debris into an airtight glass jar, and contact your municipal hazardous waste department for designated drop-off instructions.
pex predatory species—including shark, swordfish, king mackerel, bigeye tuna, marlin, and tilefish—bioaccumulate the highest concentrations of methylmercury and should be completely avoided by pregnant individuals, nursing mothers, and children under six. Safer, low-mercury choices that deliver beneficial omega-3 fatty acids include wild salmon, canned light tuna, sardines, pollock, cod, and shrimp, which can be eaten safely two to three times per week.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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