The disturbing effects that plagued hatters in times past may also affect you and your family today. What is mad hatters’ disease anyway? Hat creators often suffered from symptoms caused by the mercury that they used when processing their hats. Even though you may not work with mercury, you still may be exposed, as may your family members. How can mercury negatively affect you and how might you prevent mercury poison?

The Effects of Methylmercury

Methylmercury can cause many health problems for individuals, specifically for pregnant women. This chemical can cause neurological impairments including effects to memory, attention, motor skills, and much more. Often, this chemical is transmitted to an infant in the womb or in breast milk from a mother’s ingestion of fish. The EPA recommends not eating king mackerel, shark, swordfish and tilefish.

Elemental Mercury

Elemental mercury is also described by the EPA as metallic mercury. This type of mercury causes problems mainly when it is inhaled into the lungs. Elemental mercury is the physical, metallic liquid form of the metal. Inhalation may occur when mercury, such as the type in mercury thermometers, is spilled. The inhalation of elemental mercury can cause twitching, weakness, mood swings, tremors, headaches and many other health issues as examined by the EPA.

Other Types of Mercury

There are still other types of mercury in the environment. There are those compounds that the EPA considers “other mercury compounds”, which include both organic and inorganic types. These can be taken into the GI tract though ingestion. Inorganic mercury can cause skin rashes, a rise and fall in moods, muscle weakness and memory loss, according to the EPA. They may also affect the GI tract and kidneys.

Protecting Yourself

There are many ways to protect yourself from mercury poisoning. Eliminate the risk of coming in contact with elemental mercury by using thermometers that are not mercury based. Know the types of fish that may put you at risk for mercury poisoning and eat them sparingly. Still, the EPA argues that there are fish that you can eat without risk of mercury poisoning including tuna and salmon. Knowledge is key to keeping you and your family safe.

info@environmentalhealththreats.com