How to Prevent Mercury Exposure

How to Prevent Mercury Exposure

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal found in air, water, and soil. It can be harmful to your health if you are exposed to a lot of it. Mercury gets into the environment through:

  • Spills.
  • Throwing away things that contain mercury, such as fluorescent light bulbs or glass thermometers.
  • Burning certain materials, such as coal and hazardous waste.

How can mercury exposure affect me or my loved ones?

Exposure to mercury can harm you in several ways. It can:

  • Harm your kidneys, heart, and nervous system.
  • Affect your skin by causing skin rashes.
  • Cause memory problems.
  • Harm a growing baby during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Cause developmental delays in children.

What can increase my risk?

You are more likely to be exposed to mercury if:

  • You eat seafood. Fish and shellfish may contain mercury if it is in the water where they were caught. Large fish that eat other fish may have more mercury in their bodies compared with smaller fish.
  • You work in a place where mercury is used, such as a dental office or certain industrial jobs.

What actions can I take to prevent exposure to mercury?

Eating and drinking

  • Do not drink water that has been contaminated with mercury.
  • Eat fish and shellfish that are known to have lower levels of mercury. These include:
    • Salmon.
    • Shrimp.
    • Tuna.
    • Pollock.
    • Tilapia.
    • Catfish.
    • Cod.
  • Avoid eating fish that tend to be higher in mercury. These include:
    • Tilefish.
    • Shark.
    • Swordfish.
    • King mackerel.

Worksite precautions

  • Follow worksite precautions if you work near mercury. This includes:
    • Avoid direct contact with mercury.
    • Wear chemical protective clothing and equipment, such as a mask, gloves, and goggles.
  • If you get mercury on your clothing:
    • Quickly take off all contaminated clothing and quickly and gently blot or brush away excess chemical.
    • Wash gently and thoroughly with lukewarm, gently flowing water and non-abrasive soap for 5 minutes.
    • Dispose of the contaminated clothing according to your workplace’s guidelines.
  • If you get mercury on your face:
    • Quickly and gently blot or brush chemical off the face.
    • If you get the chemical in or near your eyes, immediately flush the contaminated eye(s) with lukewarm, gently flowing water for 5 minutes, while holding the eyelid(s) open.
  • If you swallow or inhale mercury:
    • Rinse your mouth with water.
    • Move to fresh air.
  • Talk to your employer to make sure they comply with national safety standards.

General instructions

  • Call your local poison control center or your health care provider immediately if you have been exposed to mercury.
  • Read seafood advisories. Check information from your local health department to find out whether seafood and shellfish caught in your area are safe to eat.
  • Dispose of mercury safely. Find out how to properly throw away thermometers, light bulbs, and other items that contain mercury. Check with your local government office. You can also check online for guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): http://www.epa.gov  

Where to find more information

Visit these websites to learn more about mercury exposure:

For information about mercury exposure at work:

For more information about mercury in seafood:

Get help right away if you:

  • Have symptoms of mercury exposure, such as:
    • Tremors.
    • Mood or behavior changes.
    • Skin rash.
    • Memory problems.
    • Coordination problems.
    • Difficulty breathing.
    • Coughing.
    • Nausea and vomiting.
    • Diarrhea.
    • Eye irritation.
    • Changes in vision.

If you have been exposed to mercury, contact your local poison control center (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.).

Summary

  • Mercury is a naturally occurring metal found in air, water, and soil. It can be harmful to your health if you are exposed to a lot of it.
  • You are more likely to be exposed to mercury if you eat seafood or you work in a place where mercury is used.
  • To prevent exposure to mercury, check with your local health department to find out whether seafood and shellfish caught in your area are safe to eat. Eat mostly the types of fish and shellfish that are least likely to have mercury in them.
  • Take steps at work to protect yourself from being exposed to mercury. This may include wearing protective equipment and following your workplace’s rules.
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