Mercury is both a precious metal and a neurotoxin. The "mad hatters" of the 19th century suffered from mercury poisoning - so did the hat makers in Danbury, Connecticut, who called their disease the Danbury Shakes. In short, mercury can be harmful to fish, waterfowl, wildlife, and humans.
The mercury felting process prevalent in the nineteenth century and many other industrial uses of mercury have been discontinued, and today most people are not exposed to dangerously high levels of mercury in their job settings. However, mercury may still be an occupational hazard for people working in medical care facilities.
Suppose, for example, a thermometer breaks or a mercury-containing solvent spills. If mercury vapor is inhaled, as much as 80 percent of the inhaled mercury may be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The biological half-life of mercury is 60 days. Thus, even though exposure is reduced, the body burden will remain for at least a few months.
The degree of risk varies depending on how much mercury a person is exposed to and how often, and on stage of life. The work environment can be designed to minimize workers' exposure. We can, for example, be as careful about mercury as we are with x-rays. But not all of the mercury that we use remains in the facility. Some of it escapes into the environment, undergoes change, and may eventually be eaten by fish. Mercury-contaminated fish are the most likely source of mercury 's potentially adverse effects on human health. It is recommended that mercury's uses in medical settings be eliminated, not because its presence makes medical facilities dangerous places to be, but to help keep mercury out of the environment.
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