Archive for the 'Mercury Related' Category
Birth Defects and Mercury
, 06 28th, 2011
A lot has been written nowadays about the mercury levels in fish, but a far more dangerous source of mercury is in our polluted air. Our industries, such as coal-fired power plants, boilers and cement plants, belch out the dangerous neurotoxin into our air. These emissions are associated with neurological, developmental, and behavioral problems in children. This can range from lower IQ to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to impaired memory and motor skills.
Fetuses are at risk to over exposure. Birth defects mercury poisoning causes are on the rise. Each year hundreds of excess cases, excess meaning beyond what is normally expected, turn up, with the newborn or child having immensely diminished mental capacity. The care for these children can cost up to 3.3 billion dollars.
Signs and Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning
, 06 16th, 2011
Various types of mercury poisoning can cause health complications. For instance, elemental and vaporized mercury poisoning symptoms include changes in cognitive abilities, severe mood swings, nervousness and irritability. Respiratory problems can develop from prolonged exposure to elemental mercury.
Organic mercury poisoning symptoms include vision problems, muscle weakness, and loss of coordination. As organic mercury poisoning occurs most often from ingesting the poison, much damage can be done to a fetus, such as brain damage or neurological problems. Inorganic mercury poisoning can cause skin rashes and inflammation. Intestinal problems can also occur.
Concern Over Skin-Lighteners
, 06 07th, 2011
The Minnesota Department of Health issued a warning at the end of May regarding dangerous levels of mercury in some skin-lightening products sold in the Twin Cities. Of the 27 skin-lightening products that were tested by the MDH, 11 creams contained mercury levels ranging from 135 ppm to 33,000 ppm. Less than one ppm of mercury is all that is permitted by federal law.
These creams pose a serious health threat as mercury can be absorbed through the skin. Mercury poisoning can cause damage to kidneys, nervous system, and other vital organs. Look out for creams that contain mercury or have the following ingredients listed: calomel, mercuric, mercurous, or mercuio.
Be Wary of Mercury
, 06 02nd, 2011
The heavy metal mercury occurs naturally in our environment and can be found in three forms: elemental, inorganic, and organic. All forms of mercury are toxic; in fact, pharmaceutical use of inorganic mercury has been discontinued in the U.S. per the requirement of the Environmental Protection Agency. Exposure to mercury can cause neurological, immunological, psychological and enzymatic problems.
To combat the effects of mercury poisoning, start by removing the toxins from your home. For instance, get rid of old paint from pre-1990 as latex paints made prior to that year contain mercury. Thermometers that contain mercury should be disposed carefully in a hazardous waste collection center. If you are uncertain of your mercury exposure, be sure to look for information on government websites like the FDA, OSHA, and the EPA.
Heavy Metal Detox
, 05 19th, 2011
There are quit a few heavy metals that exist in food. The foods that children eat can have quit a bit of heavy metals. Fish are known to have the highest source of heavy metals. One of the ways that you can prevent this as a parent is to not feed your children these types of food.
Another way is by doing a heavy metal detox. There are many different types of detox supplements. Chlorella can draw the heavy metals out of the body. This type of cleanse gets cleansed through the urine. A more natural way is by giving you’re a child a tablespoon of flax seed oil or walnut oil. These types of oils also help get rid of toxins, like mercury. Before you try any metal detox you want to talk with your doctor.
Mercury Poisoning
, 04 26th, 2011
Mercury poisoning is a disease caused by exposure to mercury. The consumption of fish is by far the most significant source of ingestion-related mercury exposure in humans. Exposure to mercury can occur from breathing contaminated air. Inhalation of high concentrations causes a wide variety of disturbances in your body.
Birth defects mercury poisoning can be delayed developmental skills, altered muscle tone and tendon reflexes. It also can cause depressed intelligence. It can also cause Acrodynia, which is when the extremities experience severe pain. Pinkness, peeling of the hands, nose, and feet are all just some of effects of mercury poisoning.
Exploring Mercury Poisoning
, 04 21st, 2011
Although no type of mercury exposure is good for human health, the severity of exposure depends on the toxicity of the mercury of which people have been exposed. For example, there has been much debate about the severity of the consequences of exposure to a type of mercury called methylmerceruy.
Recent studies suggest that exposure, even in the lowest doses, of this compound are highly toxic. The effects of mercury poisoning have also been linked to a plausible cause of autism within small children. While this is no concrete evidence linking these two areas, many people believe that trace amounts of mercury inare responsible for causing autism in young children. What do you think?
Mercury and Autism
, 04 12th, 2011
Mercury is a hazardous metal that is capable of existing within a pure element or other organic/inorganic forms. This toxic metal can cause immune, sensory, neurological, motor and behavioral dysfunctions, which are all similar symptoms associated with autism.
Because mercury poisoning symptoms are so closely related to the signs of autism, many people are led to believe that the two are correlated. Parents of autistic children often speculate that traces of mercury in early childhood vaccinations may have led to the development of autism in their child, however, this theory has never been proven.
Community’s Hair Clipped for Mercury Testing
, 04 07th, 2011
The Hive salon and the Sierra Club joined together to host an event for Lexington, Kentucky locals to get tested for mercury poison. Kentucky, according to Environment America, is sixth in the nation for mercury pollution. Coal power plants emitted approximately 6,000 pounds of mercury in 2009 alone.
Mercury is a neurotoxin that can put pregnant women at risk for birth defects. Birth defects from mercury poisoning include developmental disorders and lower IQs. The hair samples taken from the participants were mailed to a University of Georgia laboratory. Within a few weeks participants will know how much mercury they’ve accumulated in their systems. In the meantime, they have informational pamphlets to browse through detailing how to limit exposure to mercury.
Mercury Poisoning Symptoms
, 01 07th, 2011
Mercury is prevalent throughout our society. It is used in paint, batteries, thermometers, and even amalgam dental fillings. Mercury is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and very poisonous. It can be incredibly detrimental to the body as mercury poisoning is systemic, meaning it affects every system in the body, including inhibiting the immune system. Here is a list of mercury poisoning symptoms to look out for:
1. Psychological disturbances: angry fits, memory loss, inability to sleep, loss of self-control
2. Oral cavity problems: inflammation of the mouth, loss of bone around teeth, ulcerated gums, taste of metal
3. Digestive tract problems: cramps inflamed colon
4. Cardiovascular problems: weak pulse, blood pressure changes, chest pain
5. Respiratory problems: problems breathing, coughing, emphysema
6. Neurological problems: headaches, vertigo, tinnitus
If you believe that you have mercury poisoning, be sure to contact your primary care physician right away.