Poisoning by Mercury
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Poisoning by mercury has been known for a long time. Mercury is the second most toxic element on earth, next to plutonium, and it has been linked to many different diseases and to birth defects (Dangers, 2005). The toxicity of mercury depends on its chemical form, and the signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning differ in exposure to elemental mercury, inorganic mercury compounds and organic mercury compounds (such as methylmercury) (Global, 2005). While everyone agrees mercury compounds are toxic, there is debate about just how toxic they are (Global, 2005). Methylmercury is of particular importance because it is the form to which large populations are exposed, and its toxicity is best characterized. Methylmercury is a well-documented neurotoxicant which can cause adverse effects to the developing brain. It passes the placental barrier and the blood-brain barrier, so is of particular concern in pregnant women. Consumption of contaminated fish and marine mammals is the most common source of exposure of humans to methylmercury (Global, 2005). The highest levels are found in predatory fish like shark, swordfish and large tuna. In the most recent evaluations, the effects were most severe on the developing nervous system in unborn and newborn children. In a study of Faroe Island children. exposure to methylmercury from pilot whale meat prenatally resulted in neuropsychological deficits at 7 years of age. Most vulnerable brain functions were attention, memory and
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fish, king mackerel and tilefish to keep their mercury intake down.
Chronic mercury exposure can impair fertility and affect the outcome of pregnancy (Mercury, 1997). In a study of 45 female dentists and 31 dental nurses, a positive association was found between elevated mercury levels in hair samples and incidence of malformations and aborted pregnancies. Mercury exposure in these women also caused menstrual irregularities by interference with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the part of the brain controlling reproduction. A study of Polish dental professionals showed a high frequency of malformations, yet a study of Swedish dental professionals found no increase (Global, 2005). However, an increase in low birth weight infants was seen in the offspring of dental nurses in that study. Similar effects were not seen in dentists or dental technicians.
No significant differences were seen in stillbirths or miscarriages between the two groups of women, or among dental assistants potentially exposed to mercury in a prospective study of pregnancy outcomes in 12 occupations (Global, 2005). There was no relationship between the number of amalgam fillings prepared each week and the rate of spontaneous abortions or c
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Approximate Word count = 1674
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)
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