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Mercury poisoning, particularly from fish, is on most people’s radars nowadays, but not everyone knows the signs of overexposure to the toxin. Mercury vapor can cause severe respiratory problems that can progress to pulmonary edema and, eventually, death. Mercury poisoning can also cause renal failure, temporary tubular dysfunction, and tubular necrosis and nephritic syndrome.

Other mercury poisoning symptoms include cardiovascular and problems. People suffering from mercury poisoning may have abnormal blood pressure and heart rate, as well as unusual spikes in cholesterol. Food sensitivity, cramping, and diarrhea have also been reported as symptoms.

Last week, officials in the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued a warning about skin creams that contain mercury. Crema Aguamary has been linked to one case of mercury poisoning in the state. The cream in question was purchased in Mexico. The FDA prohibits the sale of bleaching creams that use mercury.

Consumers who are unsure of whether or not they have been exposed to mercury poisoning through skin creams should read labels carefully. If the ingredient list includes mercury, mercurio, mercuric, mercurous, or calomel, the cream should not be used. Seal the whole jar in a bag and toss the cream immediately. Even if the cream cost you a bundle, it’s a small price compared to lasting health damage.

Mercury poisoning is not something most people actively think about, but the truth is most of us are exposed to mercury in our everyday lives. Factories spew mercury into the air and into the water. This can affect the food that we consume, especially fish, which can in turn raise the levels of mercury in our bodies.

The effects of mercury poisoning can be devastating to the body’s nervous system, kidneys, skin, blood pressure, and digestive tract. Fetuses, infants, and children are particularly susceptible to mercury poisoning. As a result, parents need to be careful about what their children are exposed to, both in terms of where they live and what they feed their children.

Were you aware that if one-seventieth of a teaspoon of mercury enters a lake every year that is enough to raise mercury levels in fish? In the meantime, coal-fired plants – the largest producer of unregulated mercury emissions in the U.S. – have pumped 48 tons of mercury into the atmosphere each year. The technology exists to filter mercury and other toxins, but many big corporations refuse to do the responsible thing: clean up their act.

What are some of the dangers of mercury pollution? Exposure to mercury in utero can cause major birth defects. These birth defects mercury poisoning include neurological and developmental disorders, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities, to name a few. Until the government enforces the changes they have been promising, parents need to remain vigilant about looking for warning signs of mercury poisoning in themselves and their children.

It’s true what they say about “everything in moderation.” Too much sushi can introduce dangerous levels of mercury into the body, particularly if you eat a lot of high mercury fish. The biggest culprits tend to be bluefin tuna, mackerel, yellowtail, swordfish, and sea bass.

It’s best to cut back on sushi intake or at least opt for smaller, less toxic fish. Children should not be exposed to sushi at all because of the elevated risk of food poisoning, which can be devastating for growing bodies. If you fear that you have elevated levels of mercury, then it may be a wise choice to consult with your doctor about undergoing a heavy metal detox.

Do you believe that you or a loved one has mercury poisoning?  Here are some of the mercury poisoning symptoms to look out for:

The most common symptom is peripheral neuropathy, which may present itself as itching, burning, or pain. Skin discoloration (particularly on the cheeks, fingertips, and toes), swelling, and skin shedding are also common. Sweating, elevated heart rate, and hypertension may also occur. In children, mercury poisoning may present itself as increased sensitivity to light, red cheeks, nose and lips, as well as loss of hair, teeth, and nails.

For several decades, we have known about the harmful effects of mercury on fetuses. Unfortunately, it took a disaster for us to find out. Doctor Masazumi Harada studied Minamata disease and discovered that those adults who had been exposed to a horrific mercury contamination in Japan gave birth to children with cerebral palsy and other infantile disorders, at higher rates.

Through his work he was able to prove that placenta does not protect a fetus from mercury toxins in the mother’s blood stream, as is true with other toxins. Instead, the placenta removes the mercury from the mother’s bloodstream and concentrates it in the fetus. In other words, Minamata disease causes birth defects mercury poisoning, reinforcing the need for pregnant women to avoid exposure to mercury, including consumption of high-mercury fish.

Over 400,000 newborns are affected each year by mercury pollution. That is why doctors advise pregnant women to cut back on eating fish, particularly large predator fish like albacore white tuna. Fish aren’t naturally contaminated with mercury; they became contaminated when toxic mercury, produced by coal-fired power plants, is released into the air and subsequently are released into waterways through rain. The fish have simply absorbed the mercury through their gills.

The effects of mercury poisoning are astounding, particularly in fetuses and young children. Mercury causes brain neuron degeneration, which impairs a child’s ability to learn. Mothers need to take precautions because methylmercury accumulates in breasts, brains, and even the umbilical cords because those areas have the most fats.

The silver colored fillings some dentists use after drilling a cavity are called amalgam fillings. They are made from mercury, copper, tin, or zinc. Though the FDA classifies amalgam fillings as a moderate risk, there are people who would like amalgam fillings to be banned all together.

The reason people want the ban is the claim that amalgam fillings lead to mercury poisoning. Sure enough, mercury does leach out of the fillings over time and are absorbed into the body. While some levels of mercury in the body are natural, putting additional mercury into the body is troubling. Next time you need a cavity filled, talk to your dentist about non-mercury alternatives.

You may have heard of chlorella during history lessons about the mid 20th century population boom fears. Chlorella, a type of algae, was at one time considered a promising primary food source because it grows efficiently and is rich in proteins and other essential nutrients. In the end, the plan to use chlorella as a food staple was abandoned in favor of more efficient planting and harvesting of existing food crops.

Though chlorella is not a major food staple, there are good reasons to incorporate chlorella into your diet. For starters, the alga is an excellent source of proteins and nutrients. It has also been found to reduce dioxin levels in breast milk and increasing IgA levels. Chlorella also can be used for heavy metal detox.