Is smelling mercury bad?

Mercury is a shiny, silvery liquid metal that can cause serious health problems. Mercury vapor is not irritating and has no odor, so people do not know when they are breathing it.

What happens if you inhale mercury from a thermometer?

Mercury readily turns into vapour at room temperature and when inhaled gets absorbed into the bloodstream and attacks the nervous system.

What does mercury do to the human body?

Human health effects of mercury Mercury and its compounds affect the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver and can disturb immune processes; cause tremors, impaired vision and hearing, paralysis, insomnia and emotional instability.

How long do mercury vapors stay in the air?

one year
At room temperature, exposed elemental mercury can evaporate to become an invisible, odorless toxic vapor. This vapor has a very long life (up to one year) in the air.

How do you know if you inhale mercury?

Metallic mercury mainly causes health effects when inhaled as a vapor where it can be absorbed through the lungs. Symptoms of prolonged and/or acute exposures include: Tremors; Emotional changes (such as mood swings, irritability, nervousness, excessive shyness);

Is mercury banned in India?

India will have to phase out mercury within six to 10 years as the country has signed a global treaty – Minamata Convention – which makes it mandatory for the signatories to ban the use of the deadly nerve toxin in a phased manner.

What Colour is mercury liquid?

silver
Mercury is a silvery-white poisonous metallic element. Mercury is liquid at room temperature and used in thermometers, barometers, fluorescent lighting, batteries and in the preparation of chemical pesticides. Mercury is also sometimes called quicksilver or liquid silver.

What is the most toxic form of mercury?

The toxic effects of mercury depend on its chemical form and the route of exposure. Methylmercury [CH3Hg] is the most toxic form. It affects the immune system, alters genetic and enzyme systems, and damages the nervous system, including coordination and the senses of touch, taste, and sight.

Who is most at risk for mercury poisoning?

People at higher risk from mercury exposure include:

• unborn babies.
• infants.
• children up to six years of age.
• workers in industrial settings where mercury is used or produced.
• people with kidney disease.
• people born before the 1950s who were exposed to mercury in baby products and contracted pink disease.

How toxic is Mercury?

Mercury exists as a vapor (gaseous elemental Hg), as a liquid (elemental Hg), as a reactive species (Hg2+) and as organic methylmercury (MeHg). Form dictates toxicity. The most toxic is inhaling gaseous mercury. It goes straight to the brain and causes insanity. Ingesting liquid mercury is not very toxic.

How does an exposure to Mercury affect someone’s health?

How someone’s health may be affected by an exposure to mercury depends on a number of factors: The form of mercury (for example, methylmercury or elemental (metallic) mercury); The age of the person exposed (unborn infants are the most vulnerable);

Should I be concerned about my exposure to metallic mercury?

If you are concerned about your exposure to metallic mercury, you should consult your physician. Metallic mercury mainly causes health effects when inhaled as a vapor where it can be absorbed through the lungs. Symptoms of prolonged and/or acute exposures include:

Is Mercury a gas or liquid?

Mercury exists as a vapor (gaseous elemental Hg), as a liquid (elemental Hg), as a reactive species (Hg2+) and as organic methylmercury (MeHg). Form dictates toxicity. The most toxic is inhaling gaseous mercury.