Edema mercury exposure

Mercury is an accumulative poison. Its toxicity depends on its form. Symptoms may start rapidly after acute exposure to high air concentrations of mercury vapor, and can include fever, chills, and nausea. In severe cases (e.g., as a consequence of heating), pulmonary edema may cause death within a few days. Acute exposure to mercury vapor can also produce bronchitis and interstitial pneumonitis. The toxicity of mercuric chloride (i.e., corrosive sublimate) has been well established. Oral ingestion causes severe abdominal cramps, possible ulceration and bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, and a bloody diarrhea. Loose teeth are noted and hepatitis has been recorded. Nephritis is common if the renal tubes are extensively damaged, it could lead to a... 

Respiratory effects in animals have been observed following acute inhalation exposure of metallic mercury vapors. Rats exposed to 27 mg/m3 of elemental mercury vapors for 2 hours then observed for 15 days displayed dyspnea and death due to asphyxiation (Livardjani et al. 1991b). Respiratory tract lesions included lung edema, necrosis of the alveolar epithelium and hyaline membranes, and occasional lung fibrosis. 

Inorganic Mercury. Extremely limited information was located regarding respiratory effects in humans after oral exposure to inorganic forms of mercury. A 3 5-year-old man who swallowed an unknown amount of mercuric chloride had severe pulmonary edema and required artificial ventilation (Murphy et al. 1979). Fine rales were detected in a 19-month-old boy who swallowed powdered mercuric chloride (Samuels et al. 1982). A 50-year-old female who ingested 5 tablets of a Chinese medicine that contained an unspecified amount of mercurous chloride (Kang-Yum and Oransky 1992) experienced shortness of breath. 

Organic Mercury. Case report studies suggest that dermal exposure to methylmercury or phenylmercury in humans can cause rashes and blisters on the skin (Hunter et al. 1940 Morris 1960). A 33-year-old male worker exposed to methylmercury nitrate dust for 2 years developed bums and blisters on his forearm (Hunter et al. 1940). These effects healed within 9 days. Sensitivity to phenylmercuric salts is shown by individuals who developed itchy, pruritic, papular eruptions or rashes on their skin following acute dermal exposure (Morris 1960). A 54-year-old woman with a family history of atopy was found to display erythema (at 30 minutes postexposure) and urticaria (at 60 minutes) when treated topically with a 0.01% solution of phenylmercuric acetate (Torresani et al. 1993). This positive reaction was associated with aggravation of facial edema and an attack of bronchospasm. The woman, who was a farmer, was believed to have been previously exposed to phenylmercuric acetate during contact with pesticides and herbicides used on farm crops. 

For similar routes and forms of mercury, the adverse health effects seen in children are similar to the effects seen in adults. For example, a young child who was intoxicated with mercury vapor, died of pulmonary edema and had a grayish, necrotic mucosa of the stomach and duodenum (Campbell 1948). These effects are similar to those seen in adult populations occupationally exposures to inhaled metallic mercury vapors. Respiratory effects in adults from inhalation of metallic mercury vapor include pulmonary edema, lobar pneumonia, fibrosis, desquamation of the bronchiolar epithelium, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure (Gore and Harding 1987 Jaffe et al. 1983 Kanluen and Gottlieb 1991 Matthes et al. 1958 Taueg et al. 1992 Teng and Brennan 1959 Tennant et al. 1961). 

Animal studies reveal that pulmonary edema and asphyxiation result from acute high-dose exposure to elemental mercury vapor (EPA 1997). After 2 hours of exposure to 30 mg m mercury vapor, 20 of 32 rats died. Histological lesions such as alveolar edema, hyaline membranes and sometimes fibrosis were observed (Livardjani et al. 1991). 

Meicuiy (quicksilver [CAS 7439-97-6]) Acute exposures to high vapor levels reported to cause toxic pneumonitis and pulmonary edema. Well absorbed by inhalation. Skin contact can produce irritation and sensitization dermatitis. Mercury salts but not metallic mercury are primarily toxic to the kidneys by acute ingestion. High acute or chronic overexposures can result in CNS toxicity (erythrism), chronic renal disease, brain injury, and peripheral neuropathies. Some inorganic mercury compounds have adverse ettects on total development in test animals. See also p 254. 

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