Mercury By: Natalie Cotton & Michelle Solsbery

What is it?  Mercury (chemical symbol Hg) is a heavy metal that occurs in several forms, all of which can produce toxic effects in high enough doses.

Symptoms  Sensory impairment (vision impairment, smell, hearing, speech), lack of coordination, and disturbed sensation.  Skin discoloration  Perfuse sweating  Swelling  Desquamation (shedding of skin)

Types/causes of Poisoning  Food Poisoning: animals ingesting mercury containing organisms, breathing contaminated air, and eating contaminated soil and water.  Most mercury food poisoning comes from fish.  Human Generated Sources: coal plants emit mercury fumes  Volcanoes: emit mercury fumes

Toxic Effects  Damage to the brain, kidney, and lungs  Can result in several diseases, including acrodynia (pink disease), Hunter-Russell syndrome, and Minamata disease.  kidney disfunction (e.g. Fanconi syndrome)  Neuropsychiatric symptoms such as emotional lability, memory impairment, or insomnia.  Red cheeks, nose and lips  Loss of hair, teeth, and nails  Transient rashes  Hypotonia (muscle weakness)  Increased sensitivity to light

How/Where is it Commonly Found?  Exposure to mercury can occur from breathing contaminated air; from eating foods containing mercury residues from processing, such as can occur with high- fructose corn syrup; from exposure to mercury vapor in mercury amalgam dental restorations; and from improper use or disposal of mercury and mercury- containing objects, for example, after spills of elemental mercury or improper disposal of fluorescent lamps.

Case Study

Tycho Brahe  Brahe was poisoned with mercury on the orders of Christian IV, the King of Denmark, because the astronomer had an affair with his mother.  It is even suggested that Shakespeare used the alleged liaison as an inspiration for Hamlet.  It was believed that that his cousin slipped mercury into Brahe's drink. Tests on his hair showed mercury levels one hundred times above normal as a result of ingesting a large quantity of the liquid metal about 13 hours before his death, coinciding with the visit from his cousin.

Cites Used:  "Hamlet May Have Poisoned Stargazer Tycho Brahe in Mercury Murder - Times Online." The Times | UK News, World News and Opinion. Web. 19 Jan  "Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning - Mercury Prognosis - Detoxification Guide." Alternative Medicine Resources For Health Care Professionals and Patients. Web. 19 Jan