Health effects of mercury

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Let’s see in brief about what harm this toxic metal can cause to the human body.

Mercury has been known to be a poison for thousands of years, whether "ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin." In the 1800's, British workers who used mercury in the hat making process developed symptoms of mental deterioration on an industry-wide basis. The expression, "mad as a hatter," originated from that. Also, citizens of Minamata, Japan, endured ten years of misery, crippling deformities and agonizing deaths before industries ceased polluting the local harbor with mercury. The mercury was transferred to Minamata citizens when they consumed fish from the polluted harbor. This resulted in more than 10,000 cases of "Minamata disease," which had a 10% mortality rate. Today, according to those involved in research, human exposure to mercury is primarily through dental amalgam.

Mercury has been found to accumulate in vital organs and tissues, such as the liver, brain and heart muscle. Major symptoms of mercury toxicity include emotional instability, tremors, gingivitis, and kidney failure. It has also been linked to multiple sclerosis and epileptic seizures. Further, its affect on the body's immune system is potentially devastating, possibly contributing to diseases such as leukemia and hematopoietic dyscrasias.

The association of mercury to chronic diseases mainly cardiovascular, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases is well documented in the didactic scientific literature.

The main areas of anxiety in regards to mercury are dental, medical, and environmental. These three areas comprise what is known as the three faces of mercury. Rarely are the three mercury concerns presented together so seldom do we get a fair account of the accumulating danger, which is greater than anyone is ready to admit. Dental fillings may yet prove to have effects many times greater than those found at Minamata.

Dr. Smita

The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Homepage.