home Drugs Signs of mercury vapor poisoning. What to do if the thermometer is broken. Video: thermometer broke, what to do

Signs of mercury vapor poisoning. What to do if the thermometer is broken. Video: thermometer broke, what to do

It's hard to believe, but several decades ago many skin diseases were treated with ointments with high content mercury In dentistry, toxic metal was used in the manufacture of fillings, and in medical devices The silver balls can still be seen. Mercurialism, or chronic mercury poisoning, occurs unnoticed and does not manifest itself for several months or even years. Over a long period of time, toxic compounds destroy the human liver and kidneys. It is very important to start drug therapy as early as possible.

Poisonous effect of mercury and its compounds

Mercury confidently enters the top ten chemical elements, which negatively affect human health and condition environment. Many industrial enterprises use toxic metal in their various stages technological processes. Despite the invention of new production lines and improved treatment facilities, large amounts of mercury vapor are released into the atmosphere every year.

Most people know mercury as the silver scale on the body of a thermometer. By the way, in the form of metal. When it's dangerous:

Even with short contact with air, mercury begins to evaporate quickly. Its vapors are deadly to humans even in small concentrations.
Mercury chloride and cyanide can cause severe damage to internal organs and central nervous system.
Mercury dissolved in water easily binds to animal proteins.
Organic metal compounds are the most dangerous because they have the ability to penetrate into adipose tissue.

Don't panic if a medical thermometer breaks. In the form of moving silvery droplets, mercury is not too dangerous. It must be properly collected and disposed of. Health problems may arise from the formation of vapors from these metal balls.

Chronic poisoning occurs due to the ability of mercury to be gradually absorbed into cells and tissues over time. In medicine and pharmacology, this effect is called the cumulative, cumulative action of a compound or element.

Where can you get mercury poisoning?

It is impossible to get chronic poisoning by accidentally breaking a thermometer. But the literature describes cases of diagnosing such intoxication. This usually happens in families that neglect the safety rules: small children break thermometers, and parents treat this with irresponsible connivance. Accumulating under baseboards or in floor cracks, mercury began to evaporate, poisoning the air.

From chronic mercury poisoning Residents of small villages located near chemical plants suffer. Sewage water ends up in bays where the population is engaged in fishing. Representatives of the aquatic world absorb mercury like a sponge. Poisoned fish is used for cooking and accumulates in the human body.

Chronic mercury intoxication can occur:

for agricultural workers when treating cereal crops;
when burning fossil fuels for heating in large quantities;
in metallurgy in the manufacture of alloys;
when processing secondary raw materials;
when burning waste on an industrial scale;
for laboratory technicians when carrying out qualitative and quantitative reactions using Nessler’s reagent;
The thermochemical decomposition of water occurs with the participation of mercury bromide.

Small amounts of mercury are used to make preservatives that are used in vaccines. The results of numerous studies confirm the safety of these medicines– metal molecules are not detected in the human body after vaccination.

Clinical picture of chronic intoxication

For some people, symptoms of dangerous poisoning may take several months to appear, while others do not notice the signs. serious illness many years. It depends on the health status of the victim and his lifestyle. Children, women and the elderly are most susceptible to the cumulative effects of mercury.

At the initial stage, intoxication is difficult to diagnose. People do not go to the doctor, attributing deteriorating health to a cold, depression or overwork.

The initial stage of chronic poisoning does not have a clearly defined clinical picture:

Gastrointestinal upset: nausea, diarrhea or constipation. A person experiences heartburn and sour belching occurs after eating food.
The victim suffers from excruciating headaches, especially at night. Over time, such pain is replaced by migraines with photophobia.
Increased fatigue appears, the person tends to sleep, he becomes apathetic and absent-minded.
Constant fatigue will often be replaced by unmotivated outbursts of irritability and poorly suppressed aggression.
Memory deteriorates, attention decreases, the victim cannot concentrate and do his work.

The ability of mercury to destroy protein compounds impairs the functioning of immune system person. Relapses of newly treated diseases occur viral etiology, possible appearance allergic reactions. Small pimples, red spots, blisters periodically appear and disappear.

One of the symptoms of chronic poisoning is the disorder menstrual cycle in women, the volume of blood released decreases or increases. If a woman becomes pregnant, mercury molecules penetrate the placenta and negatively affect the process of fetal formation.

After several months of chronic mercury poisoning, the symptoms are more pronounced:

tremor of the fingers, lips, upper and lower eyelids appears;
fingers lose sensitivity, sense of smell decreases;
the victim sweats profusely and experiences chills;
rises renal pressure, causing arterial hypertension;
disruption of the urinary system is expressed in frequent urination with the release of large quantity urine.

After several years of mercury intoxication, the lumen of the veins and arteries narrows - vascular atherosclerosis occurs. The liver and pancreas suffer the most: under the influence of a dangerous metal, they stop actively functioning.

Therapy of chronic poisoning

After diagnosis using special tests to detect mercury compounds, the victim will be immediately hospitalized. First of all, treatment will be aimed at eliminating symptoms with the help of:

Antibiotics.
Antispasmodics.
Sedatives.
Immunomodulators.

Arising from prolonged intoxication chronic diseases internal organs require combined drug therapy appropriate medications.

If you do not go to the hospital in a timely manner, mercury cannot be completely removed from the body, since it is firmly bound to tissue proteins. To reduce its content, droppers with glucose and detoxification agents are used.

Prevention of poisoning is compliance with safety precautions at industrial enterprises. At home, it is better to stop using mercury lamps or thermometers, replacing them with more modern devices. If you suspect intoxication, you should purchase a test at the pharmacy that determines the presence of a toxic metal in the body.

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Mercury is a highly toxic compound that can cause complex health disorders in humans, which are formed when the substance enters the body orally, inhaled or through contact.

What are the first signs? How effective is the first first aid? How does mercury affect the body? You will read about this and much more in our article.

The effect of mercury and its vapors on the body

As modern clinical practice shows, mercury vapor and organic compounds of the substance are most dangerous for the human body - it is these forms of poisoning that cause the most serious consequences and pose a direct threat to the patient's life.

About 90-95 percent of mercury vapor is actively absorbed by the alveoli and enters the systemic bloodstream. Possessing good fat-soluble properties, the substance easily overcomes both the placental and blood-brain barriers, after which it is oxidized to simple compounds and binds to protein groups.

In this case, a significant part of mercury in liquid form, ingested orally, is transformed into sulfur structures, which are less hazardous to health, but have a systemic pathological effect at high concentrations.

Organic mercury compounds (so-called methylated structures), regardless of the route of penetration, are well absorbed by both the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract, as well as by the skin, including intact ones, after which they penetrate the membrane structures of erythrocytes and directly bind to hemoglobin in the blood.

The main pathological effect of mercury and compounds is partial destruction of soft tissues, especially mucous membranes. Basic localizations of primary concentrations are in the kidneys, brain, liver and lungs. The half-life of the substance and its derivatives ranges from 40 to 70 days and depends on the predominant form of mercury.

How can you get poisoned?

In the natural biosphere, the content of mercury is very low (relatively large concentrations are possible only in certain geological sections of local areas), therefore the main routes of poisoning with this substance are considered to be the technological activity of man himself:

Symptoms of mercury poisoning and its vapors

In its classical presentation, the symptoms of mercury intoxication are correlated with an acute form of intoxication with this substance (one-time or over a short period of time). Let's take a closer look typical symptoms mercury poisoning and what consequences it can lead to, and you will also find out what treatment is possible for intoxication with this element and its vapors.

Characteristic symptoms of mercury poisoning:

First aid for poisoning and treatment

First aid for acute forms of poisoning usually includes:

The treatment procedure for severe acute mercury poisoning is carried out in a hospital setting. The patient is admitted to the department intensive care, where standard protocols for poisoning with the above substance apply. Possible actions:

Administration of the antidote. There is no specific selective antagonist against mercury, so clinical practice Mostly universal antitoxic drugs are used - unithiol, EDTA, cuprenil, sodium thiosulfate, methionine, succimer, taurine;
Hardware support. From connection to artificial ventilation lungs before installing artificial heart rhythm drivers;

Replacement-cleansing treatment. Hemodialysis, formed diuresis, direct blood transfusion, sorbents;
Conservative therapy. Wide range medications for life-saving indications, as well as for the protection of important organs - from diuretics and hepatoprotectors to corticosteroids and bronchodilators.

Symptoms of chronic intoxication

Signs of chronic mercury poisoning can develop gradually, depending on the regularity of mercury compounds entering the body and their specific concentrations.

Classic signs of mercury and its vapor poisoning in humans:

Increased daily fatigue;
Feeling drowsy and disrupting the circadian rhythm of sleep and wakefulness;
Significant deterioration of olfactory reflexes;
Constant metallic taste in the oral cavity;
Tremor of limbs– short-term, but regular. In the medium term, the tremors progress to whole body spasms;
Migraine-like headaches medium or low intensity. Formed regardless of physical and mental activity;

Apathy, unmotivated aggression, memory impairment, distortion of perception of the world, shyness, depression, decreased mental activity and basic reactions with reflexes, others mental disorders wide spectrum;
Severe gastrointestinal pathologies– regular dyspeptic disorders, pain in the epigastric region, rapid development of gastritis and peptic ulcer;
Kidney and liver failure in the compensation stage. At neglected form Chronic mercury poisoning may result in the development of decompensation mechanisms with partial necrosis of organ tissue;
Bronchopulmonary manifestations. Frequent bronchitis (including obstructive), pneumonia and other problems;
Work pathologies thyroid gland . Usually manifests itself in changes hormonal levels, as well as physical degeneration of the organ;
Cardiovascular problems. Disruption of the heart muscle, changes blood pressure;
Sexual dysfunction. From decreased libido and potency to involuntary miscarriage and abnormal development of the fetus in the womb.

What to do in case of chronic mercury poisoning?

As a rule, with chronic forms of mercury poisoning, rapid acute symptoms do not develop, directly life threatening the victim. In this case, it is necessary to correctly place the emphasis in order not only to get rid of the manifestations and consequences of the problem, but also to eliminate it reappearance further.

In case of mercury poisoning, you must:

Consequences of poisoning

Potential complications from mercury poisoning (both acute and chronic forms) are quite varied. The most common consequences include:

Complex toxic damage to the liver and kidneys, after which their functional failure develops;
Systemic brain lesions with disruption of the central nervous system and the formation of a number of mental and neurological syndromes, sometimes irreversible;
Chronic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract with partial or complete violations basic functions of the digestive and excretory systems;
Sexual problems - from impotence to the inability to conceive and bear a healthy child;
Bronchopulmonary pathologies– from obstructive bronchitis to pneumonia;
Allergic and autoimmune reactions wide spectrum;
Other diseases, syndromes and negative conditions associated with both the immediate pathological influence of mercury compounds during the reactive period of poisoning, and “delayed” problems, usually occurring secondaryly and in the background.

Features of intoxication in a child: how to determine and what to do?

According to global medical research, children suffer much more strongly than adults from poisoning with mercury and its compounds. At the same time, they not only exhibit more acute pathological symptoms acute form intoxication, but also more pronounced chronic symptoms problems, and emerging long term consequences cause a whole gamut serious complications, which primarily affects the developing brain, as well as the lungs, liver and kidneys.

Signs of acute mercury poisoning in children:

Chronic forms of mercury poisoning in children have the following manifestations:

Neurological and mental disorders;
Chronic problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
Allergic and autoimmune manifestations;
Kidney and liver failure.

It is strictly prohibited to get rid of the problem on your own, since it directly threatens not only the health, but also the life of the child.

Regardless of the severity of the symptoms and the form of poisoning, you must immediately consult a doctor who will refer the little patient to comprehensive examination to a toxicology clinic or, if necessary, immediately to the intensive care unit.

Mercury is a highly toxic compound that can cause complex health disorders in humans, which are formed when the substance enters the body orally, inhaled or through contact.

What are the first signs of mercury poisoning? How effective is first aid? How does mercury affect the body? You will read about this and much more in our article.

The effect of mercury and its vapors on the body

As modern clinical practice shows, mercury vapor and organic compounds are the most dangerous for the human body - it is these forms of poisoning that cause the most serious consequences and pose a direct threat to the patient’s life.

How can you get poisoned?

Symptoms of mercury poisoning and its vapors

In its classical presentation, the symptoms of mercury intoxication are correlated with an acute form of intoxication with this substance (one-time or over a short period of time). Let's take a closer look at the typical symptoms of mercury poisoning and what consequences it can lead to, and you will also find out what treatment is possible for intoxication with this element and its vapors.

Characteristic symptoms of mercury poisoning:

First aid for poisoning and treatment

First aid for acute forms of poisoning usually includes:

The treatment procedure for severe acute mercury poisoning is carried out in a hospital setting. The patient is admitted to the intensive care unit, where standard protocols for poisoning with the above substance are applied. Possible actions:

Administration of the antidote. There is no specific selective antagonist against mercury, therefore, in clinical practice, mainly universal antitoxic drugs are used - unithiol, EDTA, cuprenil, sodium thiosulfate, methionine, succimer, taurine;
Hardware support. From connecting to artificial ventilation to installing artificial heart pacemakers;

Replacement-cleansing treatment. Hemodialysis, formed diuresis, direct blood transfusion, sorbents;
Conservative therapy. A wide range of medications for life-saving indications, as well as for the protection of important organs - from diuretics and hepatoprotectors to corticosteroids and bronchodilators.

Symptoms of chronic intoxication

Signs of chronic mercury poisoning can develop gradually, depending on the regularity of mercury compounds entering the body and their specific concentrations.

Classic signs of mercury and its vapor poisoning in humans:

Increased daily fatigue;
Feeling drowsy and disrupting the circadian rhythm of sleep and wakefulness;
Significant deterioration of olfactory reflexes;
Constant metallic taste in the mouth;
Tremor of limbs– short-term, but regular. In the medium term, the tremors progress to whole body spasms;
Migraine-like headaches medium or low intensity. Formed regardless of physical and mental activity;

Apathy, unmotivated aggression, memory impairment, distortion of perception of the world, shyness, depression, decreased mental activity and basic reactions with reflexes, other wide-spectrum mental disorders;
Severe gastrointestinal pathologies– regular dyspeptic disorders, pain in the epigastric region, rapid development of gastritis and peptic ulcer;
Kidney and liver failure in the compensation stage. In advanced forms of chronic mercury poisoning, decompensation mechanisms may develop with partial necrosis of organ tissue;
Bronchopulmonary manifestations. Frequent bronchitis (including obstructive), pneumonia and other problems;
Pathologies of the thyroid gland. Usually manifested in changes in hormonal levels, as well as physical degeneration of the organ;
Cardiovascular problems. Impaired functioning of the heart muscle, changes in blood pressure;
Sexual dysfunction. From decreased libido and potency to involuntary miscarriage and abnormal development of the fetus in the womb.

What to do in case of chronic mercury poisoning?

As a rule, in chronic forms of mercury poisoning, rapid acute symptoms do not develop that directly threaten the life of the victim. In this case, it is necessary to correctly place the emphasis in order not only to get rid of the manifestations and consequences of the problem, but also to prevent its reappearance in the future.

In case of mercury poisoning, you must:

Consequences of poisoning

Potential complications from mercury poisoning (both acute and chronic forms) are quite varied. The most common consequences include:

Complex toxic damage to the liver and kidneys, after which their functional failure develops;
Systemic brain lesions with disruption of the central nervous system and the formation of a number of mental and neurological syndromes, sometimes irreversible;
Chronic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract with partial or complete impairment of the basic functions of the digestive and excretory systems;

Sexual problems - from impotence to the inability to conceive and bear a healthy child;
Bronchopulmonary pathologies– from obstructive bronchitis to pneumonia;
Allergic and autoimmune reactions of a wide spectrum;
Other diseases, syndromes and negative conditions associated with both the immediate pathological influence of mercury compounds during the reactive period of poisoning, and “delayed” problems, usually occurring secondaryly and in the background.

Features of intoxication in a child: how to determine and what to do?

According to global medical research, children suffer much more than adults from poisoning from mercury and its compounds. At the same time, they not only show more acutely the pathological symptoms of the acute form of intoxication, but also the chronic signs of the problem are more pronounced, and the emerging long-term consequences cause a whole range of serious complications, which primarily affect the developing brain, as well as the lungs, liver and kidneys.

Signs of acute mercury poisoning in children:

Chronic forms of mercury poisoning in children have the following manifestations:

Neurological and mental disorders;
Chronic problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
Allergic and autoimmune manifestations;
Kidney and liver failure.

Regardless of the severity of the symptoms and the form of poisoning, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor, who will refer the small patient for a comprehensive examination to a toxicology clinic or, if necessary, directly to the intensive care unit.

Risk factors

Mercury is a very dangerous substance that can easily be found in everyone’s apartment. During breathing, toxic fumes enter the lungs. After a short period of time, the substances begin to rapidly spread into the body’s organs through the blood. A protective gauze mask may not help in some cases. With a high concentration of metal in the air, vapors will be absorbed even through the skin.

The nature of the consequences can be varied. It all depends on the amount of mercury received over a certain period of time. You should also take note individual characteristics body (age, height, weight) and size of living space. After poisoning, people complain about unpleasant symptoms. The risk group is young children and women who have been poisoned. Young men with strong immune systems may not even feel the harmful effects of a small amount of a substance on the body.

With mercury poisoning, the main symptoms can soon develop into chronic problems. Liver function is impaired. Hypertension and atherosclerosis often occur. Note! There is a certain dose of mercury after which death can occur. Irreparable harm Even one gram of liquid metal can harm health.

There are two main types of mercury poisoning:

The acute form of the disease is considered very severe. It is urgent to take all possible safety measures, move away from the source of dangerous fumes or remove it;
Chronic poisoning may not appear immediately. The disease occurs when a small amount of mercury constantly affects the functioning of the body.

Symptoms and treatments may vary depending on several factors. It is very important to take necessary measures security as quickly as possible.

Main symptoms of acute poisoning

Symptoms of mercury poisoning from a thermometer or from vacuum tubes are most often caused by acute poisoning. The first signs appear after a short period of time. Several hours after toxic fumes enter the body, a person may experience:

weakness of the body, asthenic syndrome. A person begins to experience severe headaches;
Appetite completely disappears, aversion to food appears. Many patients experience nausea and vomiting;
the intensity of drooling increases, swallowing liquid becomes painful and difficult;
You may notice an unpleasant metallic taste in your mouth;
gums begin to swell and bleed;
severe and sharp pain occurs in the abdominal area;
patients develop frequent urge to the toilet. The nature of the stool is mucous, you can notice the admixture of blood in it. Mercury is often found in urine;
soon problems with the functioning of the respiratory organs begin. Sharp pain is felt in the chest area.

Also, patients' body temperature rises sharply to 40 °C. It becomes difficult to breathe, the body freezes. In the most severe cases death occurs. If these symptoms occur, contact an experienced professional immediately. Treatment for mercury poisoning should begin as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the consequences may be irreparable.

Symptoms of chronic poisoning

This type of disease is quite difficult to treat. Mercurialism (this is what gradual poisoning by this metal is called) occurs even from a small amount of harmful vapors in the air. Dangerous fumes gradually harm the body. Symptoms do not appear immediately and develop gradually. After a fairly long period of time, people begin to go to the hospital with the following signs of chronic poisoning:

there is constant fatigue of the body and weakness of the body;
regular dizziness appears;
problems with the nervous system are formed. Patients note frequent manifestations of irritability;
brain dysfunction, memory loss and absent-mindedness occur;
patients feel severe tremors in the limbs. After a while, even the eyelids begin to tremble;
observed frequent urination and nighttime urge to go to the toilet;
problems with sensitivity arise, patients experience complete or partial loss of taste.

Also, in patients, the thyroid gland greatly enlarges, and the body begins to sweat much faster. In some cases there are problems with circulatory system. Micromercurialism can occur even from exposure to a very small dose of mercury. This metal begins to gradually accumulate in the kidneys or liver. Many patients are diagnosed with renal and liver failure. After a certain period of time, an acute form of manifestation of problems with internal organs may develop. Chronic poisoning is often confused with other similar diseases; you should contact a qualified and experienced specialist.

How to avoid poisoning

Mercury poisoning from a thermometer is a very dangerous health disorder. You should be able to quickly remove mercury crystals at home. It is very important to act according to a strict algorithm of actions. First, remove all people from the premises and place pets in a safe place. Then open the window completely (one window will not be enough) and close the doors to the room. Mercury should not spread throughout the apartment. After this, put on rubber gloves and tie a gauze bandage on your hands.

Take a thick plastic bag and fill a glass jar with some water. You will also need an item with which you can easily collect mercury. (This can be a pipette, wire or tape). You should be able to clearly see the characteristic balls. If the incident happened in the evening or at night, turn on the lights. Place the glass parts of the thermometer in a bag. Carefully collect all the mercury balls. Place them in a jar. Disinfect the problem area in the apartment using potassium permanganate. It is recommended not to throw away the fragments and contents of the thermometer in trash containers, but to take them to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Please note that crystals cannot be collected using a vacuum cleaner or broom. You will not be able to thoroughly and thoroughly clean equipment that has come into contact with mercury. It is also not recommended to wash contaminated items at home; take them to the dry cleaner. In rare cases, it is better to even throw away the carpet and items of clothing. Take this with full responsibility. Don't save money on your health!

Ways to normalize health

If you notice several symptoms of mercury poisoning at once, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. Exactly experienced specialist will be able to best prescribe a treatment regimen. If the poisoning is acute, call an ambulance immediately.

If a person accidentally swallows dangerous salts, rinse the stomach vigorously. Intoxication of the body with mercury occurs very quickly. Take one of the required medications. This may be unithiol, taurine or methionine. The subsequent treatment process should be prescribed by your doctor. The course of recovery will depend on the characteristics of your symptoms.

The chronic type of poisoning is treated with special antidotes and intensive care. In some cases, patients need to change their place of work or residence. To prevent illness, follow safety precautions when handling mercury. Try to use electronic thermometers, and also keep children away from energy-saving lamps.

Let's sum it up

Mercury poisoning- This dangerous disorder health, which is associated with excessive entry of harmful vapors into the human body. It is very important to be very careful when operating objects that contain this liquid metal in their structure. If you were unable to avoid dropping a thermometer (or other similar object containing mercury), then immediately take action and eliminate the source of air pollution. If you notice the first symptoms of poisoning, consult a doctor. Remember! In some cases, an ordinary broken thermometer can cause fatal outcome. A timely visit to the doctor will reduce all risks to a minimum. Take care of your health.

How does mercury poisoning occur?

The danger is posed by mercury vapor and its compounds, which have a cumulative effect. Even small doses of these substances have a pronounced toxic effect on the eyes, skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, immune and nervous systems, and digestive organs.

When vaporous mercury is inhaled in the respiratory tract, its molecules are oxidized and then combine with the sulfhydryl group of proteins. The resulting substances penetrate the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, causing damage to various organs.

Inorganic mercury compounds (salts) can enter the body through the skin or gastrointestinal tract. They have a pronounced irritant effect on the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, which leads to its inflammation and then ulceration. Mercury salts accumulate in the skin, intestines, lungs, spleen, bone marrow, red blood cells, liver, but a particularly high concentration is observed in kidney tissue.

Methylated mercury (an organic compound) easily penetrates tissues through digestive tract and skin, quickly overcomes the erythrocyte membrane and forms a stable compound with hemoglobin, causing tissue hypoxia. Methylated mercury can accumulate in nervous tissue and kidneys.

Symptoms of poisoning

Symptoms of mercury poisoning will vary from case to case because clinical picture is largely determined by the way the toxic substance enters the body, as well as the duration of contact with it.

For acute poisoning mercury vapor is characterized by:

inflammation respiratory tract, proceeding as interstitial pneumonitis;
increased mental excitability;
tremor.

In case of chronic mercury vapor poisoning, the nervous system suffers to a greater extent, which leads to the appearance of the following clinical signs:

fast fatiguability;
weight loss, anorexia;
dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract;
pronounced tremor of the hands when trying to perform any voluntary movement, which later becomes generalized, i.e., affecting all muscle groups;
development of mercury erethism (high nervous excitability, insomnia, sharp deterioration memory and thought processes, timidity, and in severe poisoning – delirium).

Chronic poisoning with inorganic mercury is characterized by the same symptoms as chronic intoxication caused by prolonged inhalation of vapors of this metal. But in this case, the clinical picture also includes manifestations of stomatitis, gingivitis, as well as loosening and loss of teeth. Over time, patients experience damage to kidney tissue, which is manifested by the development of nephrotic syndrome.

Exposure to mercury salts on the skin can cause various lesions, from mild erythema to severe forms scaly dermatitis. In children younger age contact skin with inorganic mercury causes the development pink disease(acrodynia), which is often regarded as Kawasaki disease. Other symptoms of poisoning with mercury salts when they enter the body through the skin are:

hypertrichosis;
photosensitivity;
generalized rash;
skin irritation;
profuse sweating, which often leads to desquamation of the surface cells of the skin of the hands and feet.

Acute poisoning with mercury salts penetrating through the digestive tract is characterized by:

Severe poisoning is often accompanied by massive loss of fluid. As a result, the patient develops hypovolemic shock, which can be fatal.

Poisoning with methylated mercury is extremely dangerous. They are accompanied by the following symptoms:

cerebral palsy, the development of which is associated with atrophic processes in the cerebellar cortex and cerebral hemispheres brain;
headache;
paresthesia;
speech, hearing and vision disorders;
memory loss;
impaired coordination of movements;
erethism;
stupor;
coma.

In case of severe poisoning, death is possible.

First aid for mercury poisoning

In case of acute poisoning with metallic mercury vapor, the victim should be taken to Fresh air, unbutton tight clothing.

In case of acute poisoning with mercury that has entered the body through the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to urgently rinse the stomach. To do this, drink several glasses of clean water, and then, pressing on the root of the tongue, induce reflex vomiting.

Drugs with an absorbent effect do not interact with mercury, so there is no point in taking them.

If the skin comes into contact with mercury or its compounds, they must be thoroughly washed with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate.

When is medical help needed?

In case of any type of mercury poisoning, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible - either call an ambulance, or independently ensure the delivery of the victim to the hospital.

To bind toxic mercury compounds that enter the digestive system, the patient is prescribed polythiol resins.

At high concentrations of mercury in the blood serum and urine, complex-forming therapy is indicated, for which Dimercaprol and D-penicillamine are prescribed. The main goal of this treatment is to accelerate the excretion of mercury in the urine and reduce the severity of clinical symptoms intoxication.

Possible consequences

Mercury poisoning is often severe and results in complications. Possible consequences:

disorders of higher mental activity, up to disability;
mercury poisoning during pregnancy can cause the development of various abnormalities in the fetus;
death.

Prevention

For prevention household poisoning When dealing with mercury, you should very carefully use any devices (household, medical) containing metallic mercury or its compounds.

If mercury is spilled in a room, you should contact the SES and call a team of specialists in demercurization (mercury removal). If this is not possible, they proceed to demercurization independently.

Collect the spilled mercury in a hermetically sealed container using a pipette or damp cotton balls.
Cover the area where the mercury has spilled generously with baking soda or salt, remove the powder after 2-3 hours, and thoroughly treat the surface with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Constantly ventilate the room for a week to remove mercury vapor as completely as possible.
It is forbidden to use a vacuum cleaner or broom to clean mercury; collected mercury into the sewer, use and wash clothes and other textiles that have been exposed to mercury - they must be disposed of.

In industries that use mercury compounds in their work, careful monitoring of compliance with safety regulations must be carried out.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article.

It is known that mercury is a silvery liquid metal, which under certain conditions is hazardous to health. You can be poisoned by the vapors of this toxic substance both at home and at work. To avoid serious disorders in the body and seek timely treatment medical care, you need to learn about the signs of intoxication in advance.

How does mercury poisoning occur from a thermometer?

The most accurate and in a simple way Mercury thermometers are considered to measure body temperature, but they have one significant drawback. A broken thermometer can cause intoxication: vapors of liquid metal seep into the body. Signs of mercury poisoning vary, depending on several factors. Before describing the symptoms of acute or chronic intoxication, it is worth finding out why it can occur. You can get poisoned in the following situations:

Fast evaporation toxic substance in a hot room.
If you spill metal in a room where there is very little space, it will cause high concentration in the air.
Mercury from a thermometer can spill onto any heating unit. Sublimation temperature chemical substance is approximately +40 °C. When it overheats, it becomes a gas that negatively affects the human body.

Signs of acute poisoning or chronic disease are usually caused by violation of safety rules when collecting hazardous metals. Mild degree vapor intoxication occurs when mercury balls are “hidden” under pieces of furniture or baseboards. If the concentration of the substance is more serious, then it is quickly absorbed through the mucous membrane and blood, causing severe poisoning.

Signs of mercury vapor poisoning

There are acute and chronic forms of intoxication with chemical vapors. Signs of mercury poisoning and the severity of the illness depend on several points:

General state human health and age. It is especially dangerous for women to come into contact with mercury during pregnancy, elderly people (after 65 years), and children under 18 years of age. Also at risk are those people who have diseases of the respiratory system, kidneys, and liver.
Dosage of metal, time of exposure of the source of poisoning to the body.
The method by which the hazardous substance entered.

When the amount of mercury in the room is insignificant, you can carry out independent demercurization. First you need to remove people and animals from the room and open the windows. Wear rubber gloves and a gauze bandage, eliminating the risk of poisoning as much as possible. Next, take a jar of water. You need to collect mercury balls into it using tape, a pipette, and wet paper. Close the container hermetically and place the items to collect the substance in bags. The area of the “accident” must be thoroughly wiped with a solution of potassium permanganate. It is prohibited to collect metal with a broom or vacuum cleaner.

Acute poisoning

Often initial symptoms acute mercury poisoning is recorded after a single contact with a significant volume of metal. Signs resemble classic food intoxication. The patient feels general malaise, suffers from dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. After some time, the following characteristic symptoms appear:

Chronic mercury poisoning

When mercury vapor is inhaled for a long period of time, sooner or later chronic poisoning is diagnosed. This form of intoxication often occurs among employees industrial enterprises and other people who are constantly in contact with a hazardous substance. The moment at which signs of the chronic form of the disease appear and their intensity are determined by the state of health of a particular person. Main symptoms:

fatigue, drowsiness, weakness;
headache, presyncope;
tremor of the fingers and toes (sometimes trembling of the eyelids and lips);
menstrual irregularities (in women);
frequent urge to go to the toilet;
apathy, mental imbalance;
memory disorders, decreased mental activity;
decreased skin sensitivity, taste sensations, sense of smell;
the appearance of convulsions, exhaustion of the body;
decreased blood pressure (hypotension), enlarged thyroid gland, problems at work of cardio-vascular system.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning with a broken thermometer

When mercury vapor is inhaled, the substance is quickly absorbed into the blood. It actively crosses with protein compounds and spreads throughout the body. The digestive, nervous, reproductive systems, lungs, kidneys, eyes, skin, and immunity are considered the most sensitive to the effects of toxic metal. If you are poisoned by mercury, various negative changes occur in the internal organs and systems, which can cause disruption of their functioning (even irreversible).

Non-infectious respiratory diseases

If a broken thermometer was kept indoors, respiratory tract intoxication may occur. Often, after metal enters the body, pneumonia (pneumonia) develops. acute bronchitis non-infectious nature. When respiratory system seriously damaged by mercury, the patient experiences expectoration of blood, pulmonary edema and other life-threatening consequences.

Damage to the nervous system

Damage to the nervous system is accompanied by specific signs. Asthenic syndrome is formed: weakness, fatigue, frequent irritation, drowsiness, bad memory. A person who has inhaled mercury vapor may notice the appearance of trembling of the tongue and lips, fingers on the upper and lower limbs. In some cases, tremor of the whole body and convulsions occur. In addition to this, the pressure drops, the temperature rises, and increased sweating. The acute form of intoxication is sometimes characterized by slowness, loss of consciousness and the development of coma.

Disorders of the digestive system

The digestive system also suffers greatly from mercury poisoning. If a small amount of toxin enters the body, gastric lavage is often performed. Symptoms: diarrhea, nausea and vomiting occurs. Due to trauma to the mucous membrane, stomatitis, gingivitis, bleeding gums are formed, and painful sensations. The formation of ulcers in the intestines, esophagus or stomach, pain in abdominal cavity, bleeding. Obvious symptoms of damage to the digestive system by toxins: bright red gums and the appearance of dark plaque on the mucous membrane.

Find out how it happens and urgent Care.

Video: signs of mercury vapor poisoning from a thermometer

Mercury is a substance belonging to the first hazard class. When exposed to respiratory organs poisoning of the entire body with subsequent serious complications, including death. Mercury poisoning has a number of characteristic features which everyone should know. In addition, it is important to be able to act and react correctly in a situation where a thermometer is broken at home.

Features of poisoning

Mercury is actively used in production. Moreover, metal salts are much stronger than oxides. In every house except mercury thermometer There are devices such as fluorescent lamps, which also use mercury vapor. Therefore, cases of acute and chronic poisoning occur quite often. Metal vapors can penetrate intact skin. In this case, symptoms develop rather slowly. It is much worse when the pale silvery substance gets inside by ingestion or through the mucous membrane. In case of direct contact with the blood, a person can die for the most a short time, if the toxic attack hits the liver, then it is possible to save the person. Even in small doses, mercury, especially its vapor, can lead to serious disruptions to the functioning of the entire body. Therefore, at the first signs of mercury vapor poisoning, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Main causes of poisoning

The substance can enter the human body in the following ways:

Household source. In many devices home use mercury is used. Moreover, its content is insignificant, but it is quite enough to get serious problems with health. Such devices include thermometers, tonometers, and energy-saving lamps.
Medical. To this day, this metal is actively used in the production of some vaccines, as well as external medications. Including a regular dental filling with amalgam also consists of a small amount of mercury.
Food. Sea fish and mollusks that are located in environmentally polluted water bodies actively accumulate this dangerous substance in their tissues. Even after heat treatment, mercury is not removed, which can lead to signs of poisoning in humans.

In addition, this dangerous substance is also used in the chemical and agricultural industries (production of pesticides). Such occupational mercury poisonings are common if people do not adhere to safety measures and do not follow the recommendations of doctors. So, for example, it is advised to rinse oral cavity using a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate). This partially neutralizes harmful effects poison, which may have settled on the oral mucosa.

Symptoms of acute poisoning

Many manifestations indicate that intoxication of the body has occurred. The most vivid picture occurs when a large dose of a substance enters the body or inhales mercury vapor. Symptoms of mercury poisoning are as follows:

General weakness;
Dizziness and pain;
Lack of appetite;
Painful sensations when trying to swallow;
The gums swell and bleed;
Nausea and vomiting;
Excessive salivation and metallic taste in the mouth.

Acute mercury poisoning is diagnosed within a few hours after the substance enters the body. After a couple of hours, the symptoms are complicated by the appearance of severe pain in the abdomen, as well as blood. Inflammation of the lung tissue begins, shortness of breath occurs, as well as chills and the appearance of a temperature of 38-40*C. Experienced doctor may immediately reveal the first signs of vapor poisoning, but in some cases it is necessary additional diagnostics, for example, a urine test for harmful substances.

Symptoms of mercury vapor poisoning often develop into chronic pathologies liver, problems with the activity of the gallbladder, blood vessels and even problems may arise. In case of serious poisoning, the victim may fall into a coma

Poisoning with mercury salts (if ingested) occurs strong pain in the stomach, bloody and vomiting blood clots. If the substance gets on the child’s skin, he may develop a generalized rash, irritation, hypertrichosis and scaly skin.

It should be noted that in a child, unlike an adult, the manifestations of poisoning are much stronger and develop faster, which requires urgent resuscitation. Only a timely administered antidote will help reduce the negative consequences on the body.

Chronic mercury vapor poisoning

With prolonged exposure to mercury vapor, poisoning of the body occurs, the manifestation of which directly depends on the person. Chronic mercury poisoning can be expressed by the following symptoms:

General weakness increased fatigue and constant fatigue;
Emotional disorders in the form of self-doubt, increased irritability;
Dizziness and migraine attacks;
Drowsiness;
Restless sleep;
Tearfulness;
Emotional instability.

In addition, loss of smell, memory impairment and decreased attention are possible. Often in children and adults, the heart rate increases, the thyroid gland enlarges and sweating increases. Characteristic is “mercury tremor” - trembling of the fingers, eyelids and lips with excitement.

The thermometer in the apartment broke - what to do?

The most commonly used thermometers in everyday life are often damaged due to the fragility of the surface. Usually people panic the moment they see shiny balls. But, knowing certain recommendations, you can avoid mercury poisoning from a thermometer, especially since its amount is insignificant. The main thing is not to touch the substance with your hands, but immediately put on gloves. It is also important to use cotton gauze bandage to avoid inhaling harmful fumes. The next steps are:

Get everyone out of the room. Close the doors and open the windows.
Carefully collect the balls. To do this you need to use paper and adhesive tape. You just need to apply the adhesive tape to the substance.
All items that have been in contact with mercury should be placed in a plastic bag.
Then dial the number of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and explain the situation, adhering to all their recommendations.
If signs of mercury poisoning from a thermometer appear, you should call an ambulance.

Important! Under no circumstances should you remove the toxic substance with a vacuum cleaner or broom, or throw mercury balls into the sewer. Items that have been exposed to poison must be disposed of.

Treatment for mercury poisoning

It is important to know what to do in case of mercury poisoning in order to reduce negative impact vapors of a toxic substance.

It should be noted that signs of mercury poisoning in broken thermometer directly depend on the amount of exposure to the substance (inhalation of vapors). Average dose, which can cause serious changes in the body and cause illness, is equal to 0.4 mg (2 mg in a thermometer).

First aid in case of mercury poisoning from a thermometer is as follows:

Rinse the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose, and exposed skin with running water. It is recommended to use a weak solution of potassium permanganate to neutralize the poison.
If there are problems with the respiratory or cardiovascular system, it is important to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and slow down the blood circulation.
To reduce the aggressive effect of a substance on internal organs you should rinse the stomach with a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate).
Take the antidote Unithiol, which is administered intravenously.
The use of diuretics that will help remove toxins from the body. The antidote “Unitiol” is given intramuscularly.
Carrying out hemodialysis as needed.

Treatment of poisoning when mercury enters the human body from a thermometer consists of the subsequent elimination of symptoms of disease in individual organs. So, when manifesting bacterial infection a course of chloramphenicol is prescribed (7 days), along with probiotics that restore normal intestinal flora. To restore health in case of intoxication, the following medications are prescribed: thetacine-calcium, unithiol, succimer, penicillamine, sodium thiosulfate. Glucose with vitamin C is also administered intravenously, and vitamin B intramuscularly.

Prevention

To exclude the possibility of mercury poisoning from a thermometer with subsequent dangerous symptoms, you must remember safety precautions and carefully use mercury-containing devices. It is especially important that children do not play with them, since their symptoms and treatment are much more difficult.

If it is not possible to call the SES, then you should carefully clean the place where the disaster occurred. It is important not only to seal all the substance and objects in contact with it, but also to wash all surfaces with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. It is recommended to ventilate the room well during the week.