Overload
Mercury poisoning
Category: Illness or disabilities
Type
Involuntary
Introduction and description
Mercury poisoning (also known as hydrargyria or mercurialism) is a disease caused by exposure to mercury or its compounds. Mercury (chemical symbol Hg) is a heavy metal occurring in several forms, all of which can produce toxic effects in high enough doses.
Mercury toxicity is considered the second-most common cause of acute heavy metal poisoning, with 3,596 known cases reported in 1997 by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. There is a suspicion that far more undiagnosed cases exist.
A person suffering from mercury poisoning may experience profuse sweating, tachycardia (persistently faster-than-normal heart beat), increased salivation, and hypertension (high blood pressure) all symptoms of poisoning [or more corecly toxicity] and the fight or flight response.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, mercury is listed as the third-most frequently found (lead and arsenic are first and second), and the most toxic substance in the United States. This figure originates from the U.S. Government’s Priority List of Hazardous Substances.
One of the main ways in which you can find out how much mercury has been absorbed by a person and whether it is a problem is by analysis of their blood , urine and their hair………
Mercury content of hair in different populations relative to fish consumption - Srogi K; Silesian University of Technology, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Krzywoustego 6, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland.
Hair has been used in many studies as a bioindicator of mercury exposure for human populations.
At the time of hair formation, mercury from the blood capillaries penetrates into the hair follicles. As hair grows approximately 1 cm each month, mercury exposure over time is recapitulated in hair strands. Mercury levels in hair closest to the scalp reflect the most recent exposure, while those farthest from the scalp are representative of previous blood concentrations.
Sequential analyses of hair mercury have been useful for identifying seasonal variations over time in hair mercury content, which may be the result of seasonal differences in bioavailability of fish and differential consumption of piscivorous and herbivorous fish species. Knowledge of the relation between fish-eating practices and hair mercury levels is particularly important for adequate mitigation strategies.
Methyl mercury is well absorbed, and because the biological half-life is long, the body burden in humans may reach high levels. People who frequently eat contaminated seafood can acquire mercury concentrations that are potentially dangerous to the fetus in pregnant women.
The dose-response relationships have been extensively studied, and the safe levels of exposure have tended to decline. Individual methyl mercury exposure is usually determined by analysis of mercury in blood and hair.
The objective of the present review was to examine variations in hair mercury levels from different populations with respect to fish-eating practices.
PMID: 17193738
It is not that useful to measure blood levels for suspected cases of elemental or inorganic poisoning because of mercury's short half-life in the blood. If the exposure is chronic, urine levels can be obtained; 24-hour collections are more reliable than spot collections. Diagnosis of organic mercury poisoning differs in that whole-blood or hair analysis is more reliable than urinary mercury levels.
Please note that I have added some extra information which provides far more detail in the following sections
Mercury poisoning - Sources
More details about all the sources of mercury poisoning can be found in the detailed section Mercury poisoning – sources. Briefly however, the sources are as follows
- Food contamination - including fish contamination, whale and dolphin meat, plant and livestock
- Agriculture and gardening - Fungicide contamination, Gardening e.g. calomel.
- Medical procedures – dental treatment , vaccination [Hepatititus, flu, HIB, DtaB, tetanus, diptheria, etc], snake or spider bite treatments, skin testing for antigens, clearing of intestinal obstruction.
- Over the counter medicines – herbal medicines, calomel, teething powders, syphilis treatments, disinfectants , ophthalmic and nasal products, ayuverdic medicine, antiseptics such as Merbromin, diuretics, laxatives, nappy rash treatments, vaginal contraceptives, ointments
- Waste disposal – hazardous waste sites, incineration of waste [particularly medical waste], recycling facilities and municipal incinerators, computer part recycling facilities
- Manufacturing – mirror making, thermometer, barometer and mercury arc equipment manufacture; as well as pigment, fungicide, insecticide and dry cell battery manufacture, paper manufacturing, hat making . Tanning
- Laboratory exposure – Anyone working in a laboratory that uses mercury based products is at risk.
- Mining – mercury mining; gold mining and extraction
- Domestic consumables – cosmetics, fluorescent lamps, paint
- Cremation
- Tattooing
- Natural sources - Annual worldwide emissions of mercury into the atmosphere have been estimated at 2,200 metric tons. One-third of these emissions are estimated to originate from natural sources, for example, volcanic eruptions and decay of mercury-containing sediment.
- Fossil fuels - Twenty-five percent of total worldwide emissions of mercury come from fossil fuel combustion.
How it works
Heavy metal Poisoning and brain damage.
The brain damage is principally caused by mercury’s effects on selenium. Mercury is highly reactive with selenium.
Among their numerous functions, selenoenzymes prevent and reverse oxidative damage in the brain and endocrine organs. Mercury irreversibly inhibits the activities of selenoenzymes. Since the rate of oxygen consumption is particularly high in brain tissues, they are particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage and especially dependent upon the antioxidant protection provided by selenoenzymes.
High mercury exposure thus depletes the amount of cellular selenium and if the depletion is severe and long lasting, results in brain cell dysfunctions that cause visions, hallucinations but can ultimately cause death.
Observations
I have only provided a relatively small number of observations, many more can be found on PubMed.
I actually believe that this and lead poisoning, along with other heavy metal poisoning, is the cause of an inordinate number of illnesses and disabilities given fancy names which only serve to hide the ultimate cause and confuse the issue.
Related observations
Healing observations
- Amalgam fillings, tinnitus and heavy metal poisoning 012326
- Autoimmune diseases heavy metals and bacteria 006526
- Avoid animals fed on contaminated fish meal 012483
- Cadmium and rhubarb 016838
- Cancer in children and pesticides 006836
- Chelation therapy for MS 006199
- Crown Court Case worker - and the agony of amalgam fillings 012316
- DMPS (2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate, dimaval) decreases the body burden of mercury in humans exposed to mercurous chloride 017751
- Dr David Harvey-Austin healing the side-effects of mercury amalgam fillings 012311
- Dr David Harvie-Austin - Case study with Angela Kilmartin 012313
- Dr Duke' list of plants as an antidote to mercury 017771
- Dr Duke's list of Chelating activity for the Dock 018087
- Dr Duke's list of Chelating activity for the Dog Rose 018090
- Dr Duke's list of chemicals and activity for the Shallot 017969
- Dr Duke's list of Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Prunella vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) -- Heal-All, Self-Heal 018270
- Dr Duke's list of chemicals which are an Antidote to Mercury [causing Meniere's disease] 021286
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antidote (Mercury) activity 018376
- Dr Tom Nyerges - Chronic Mercury exposure from amalgam fillings 012312
- Early Detection of Autism (ASD) by a Non-invasive Quick Measurement of Markedly Reduced Acetylcholine & DHEA and Increased β-Amyloid (1-42), Asbestos (Chrysotile), Titanium Dioxide, Al, Hg & often Coexisting Virus Infections (CMV, HPV 16 and 18), Bacteria 022802
- Effective treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes family viral infections with Chinese parsley 018887
- Effects of chelators on mercury, iron, and lead neurotoxicity in cortical culture 017786
- Fish, heart and blood circulatory problems and mercury 012482
- Garlic and heavy metal poisoning 006171
- How to Rid Your Body of Mercury and Other Heavy Metals: A 3-Step Plan to Recover Your Health 026662
- Impact assessment of mercury accumulation and biochemical and molecular response of Mentha arvensis: a potential hyperaccumulator plant 019417
- Meat, offal, heavy metals and minerals 005485
- Mercury in foods and fish and selenium as a chelation agent 013083
- Metals as a common trigger of inflammation resulting in non-specific symptoms: diagnosis and treatment 018229
- Molecular mechanisms triggered by mercury 017753
- Net degradation of methyl mercury in alder swamps 021022
- Neuroprotective Effect of Portulaca oleraceae Ethanolic Extract Ameliorates Methylmercury Induced Cognitive Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Cerebellum and Cortex of Rat Brain 018903
- Porcini mushrooms and heavy metal poisoning 005298
- Protective effect of curcumin against heavy metals-induced liver damage 017774
- Rheumatoid arthritis and metal chelation therapy 006201
- Selenium and mercury in the brains of Beluga whales 013092
- Selenium and mercury poisoning 006296
- Sweating, toxins and heavy metals 006719
- The role of thiols, dithiols, nutritional factors and interacting ligands in the toxicology of mercury 017752
Hallucination
- Auditory hallucinations, children and heavy metals 006885
- Blood-brain barrier flux of aluminum, manganese, iron and other metals suspected to contribute to metal-induced neurodegeneration 019574
- Dental amalgam fillings, anxiety, anger and depression 012331
- Hoffman, E T A – BMJ Article by Dr Jean Lhermitte - Visual Hallucination Of The Self 025299
- ICNR - Vaccines and Schizophrenia 012329
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 03 June 2nd & 3rd 025308
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 07 July 21st – August 8th 025312
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 10 August 20th – September 10th 025315
- Mercury amalgam fillings and schizophrenia 012330
- Mercury poisoning 001437
- Mercury poisoning 001436
- Mercury poisoning from skin ointment 001438
- Schubert - Schwanengesang, D 957: no 13 Der Doppelgänger 020635
- Thermometer manufacture 001440
- Toxic agents causing cerebellar ataxias 017624
- Washington, George - A vision and a prophecy 004227
Wisdom, Inspiration, Divine love & Bliss
- Alice in Wonderland - Ch 07 - 1 A Mad Tea Party 001567
- Alice in Wonderland - Ch 07 - 2 The Dormouse's story 005396
- Hoffman, E T A - The Tales of Hoffmann, Offenbach – Full opera 025300
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 01 May 8th & 12th 025306
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 02 May 16th - 25th 025307
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 03 June 2nd & 3rd 025308
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 04 July 2nd 025309
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 05 July 3rd - 10th 025310
- Monet - Poplars on the Epte 1891 002639
- Monet - Impression, sunrise 1873 002640
- Paganini - Caprice No. 24 003632
- Paganini - Caprices 01, 05 and 24 for solo violin 003633
- Paganini - Caprices 4 & 13 012076
- Paganini - Moto perpetuo 003646
- Paganini - Violin Concerto No 2 003634
- Renoir - Nudes 3 008044
- Schubert - Schwanengesang, D 957: no 13 Der Doppelgänger 020635
- Schubert - Schwanengesang, D 957: no 4 Serenade [vocal and orchestral versions] 020625
- Schubert - Sviatoslav Richter - Piano Sonata No 18 in G major, D 894 020624
- Schubert - Symphony no. 8 in B minor D 759 020637
- Swift, Jonathan - For poetry, he's past his prime 003938
- Swift, Jonathan - Gulliver's Travels 003937
- Swift, Jonathan - On A Candle 003939
Out of time
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 03 June 2nd & 3rd 025308
- Mercury poisoning 001437
- Mercury poisoning 001436
Enlightenment
In time
- Dufy, Raoul - Intérieur à la fenêtre ouverte 1928 002643
- Dufy, Raoul - Nice Casino 1936 002642
- Dufy, Raoul - Vase de Pois de Senteur 002644
- Hoffman, E T A – BMJ Article by Dr Jean Lhermitte - Visual Hallucination Of The Self 025299
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 02 May 16th - 25th 025307
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 05 July 3rd - 10th 025310
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 08 August 9th – 18th 025313
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 09 August 19th 025314
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 10 August 20th – September 10th 025315
- Monet - Water lilies [and Rumi] 001310
- Monet - Argenteuil 1875 007760
- Monet - Bathers at la Grenouillere 1869 007761
- Monet - Beach and cliffs at Pourville morning effect 1882 007762
- Monet - Boats in the pool of London 1871 007763
- Monet - Boulevard of Capucines 1883 007764
- Monet - Cart on the snow covered road with Saint Simeon farm 1865 007765
- Monet - Charing Cross bridge 1902 007766
- Monet - Cliffs near Dieppe 1882 007767
- Monet - Coal dockers 1875 007768
- Monet - Gardener's house at Antibes 1888 007769
- Monet - Haystack 1865 007770
- Monet - Oat and poppy field Giverny 1890 007771
- Monet - Open sea 1866 007772
- Monet - Regatta at Argenteuil 1872 007773
- Monet - Rocks at Belle Ile Port Domois 1886 007774
- Monet - Saint-Lazare station 1877 002641
- Monet - Snow effect the street in Argentuil 1875 007775
- Peale, Raphaelle - A dessert [detail] 010524
- Peale, Raphaelle - Blackberries 010527
- Peale, Raphaelle - Cutlet with vegetables 010525
- Peale, Raphaelle - Still life with jug and fish 010522
- Peale, Raphaelle - Still Life With Steak 1816-1817 007847
- Peale, Raphaelle - Still life with strawberries 010523
- Peale, Raphaelle - various fruit paintings 006181
- Rembrandt - A man in a room 003940
- Renoir - Boats and Shepherdesses 008050
- Renoir - Clowns and Pierrots 008059
- Renoir - Dances and pianos 008051
- Renoir - Girls combing their hair 008047
- Renoir - Landscapes 1 008062
- Renoir - Landscapes 2 008063
- Renoir - Landscapes 3 008064
- Renoir - Landscapes 4 008065
- Renoir - Landscapes 5 008066
- Renoir - Luncheons and Balls 008049
- Renoir - Nudes 1 008042
- Renoir - Nudes 2 008043
- Renoir - Nudes 3 008044
- Renoir - Nudes 4 008045
- Renoir - Nudes 5 008046
- Renoir - Portraits 1 008053
- Renoir - Portraits 2 008054
- Renoir - Portraits 3 008055
- Renoir - Portraits 4 008056
- Renoir - Portraits 5 008057
- Renoir - Portraits 6 008058
- Renoir - Portraits 7 008060
- Renoir - Portraits 8 008061
- Renoir - Umbrellas 008048
- Renoir - Young boy with a cat 008052
- Washington, George - A vision and a prophecy 004227
Prophecy
Environmental Influence
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 07 July 21st – August 8th 025312
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 08 August 9th – 18th 025313
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 09 August 19th 025314
- Maupassant, Guy de – Le Horla – 10 August 20th – September 10th 025315
Other observations
- Allergic reactions to dental filling metals 006527
- Autism and mercury poisoning 006884
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Ingredients of Vaccines - Fact Sheet 012288
- Dental fillings, allergy and mental and other illness 006525
- Heart failure, mercury poisoning and fish 006247
- Heavy metals, dentists, fish and heart failure 006246
- Metals and Parkinson's Disease: Mechanisms and Biochemical Processes. 029499
- The effect of occupational exposure to mercury vapour on the fertility of female dental assistants 027603