How to reduce your exposure to Mercury

Mercury Exposure and Children

Mercury occurs both naturally and anthropogenically (man made) in our environments.  The naturally occurring sources of mercury include; geologic sources, degassing of the earths crust and bacterial conversion of elemental mercury into organic mercury.

The solubility and toxicity of mercury varies depending on which of the three forms we are discussing.

Elemental mercury comes from the burning of fossil fuels, mining, smelting, medical waste incinerators and volcanoes. Now, elemental mercury is used in a wide variety of house hold goods including, thermometers, barometers, fluorescent light bulbs, and even traditional folk remedies.  Mercury has been used for dental fillings in the past but according to the CDC they do not pose a significant health risk, you be the judge.  However, according to recent research having your mercury fillings replaced poses a greater risk of exposure than leaving them untouched.  If the filling is damaged and needs repair extra precaution should be taken to reduce both the patient and doctors risk of exposure.

How are we exposed to mercury and what does it do to our bodies? Mercury is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted by our bodies. Most mercury vaporizes and we ingest it via our respiratory system.  Ever watched Alison and Wonderland, the Mad Hatter is suffering from Mad Hatters Disease, mercury was used by hat makers and thus those exposed to elemental mercury exhibited mental effects and tremors.  The half life for mercury in adults is 60 days but for children that number is significantly longer.  The metabolized mercury concentrates in our brains and if pregnant crosses the placenta and concentrates in a developing fetus. The list of adverse health effects of elemental mercury is quite significant; central nervous system damage, necrotizing bronchitis, insomnia, loss of appetite, tremors, excessive sweating, organ damage, and death. Erethism, a syndrome characterized by red palms, memory loss and emotional liability has been reported in those suffering from elemental mercury poisoning.

Inorganic mercury is the second type on our list, its uses range from antibacterials and antifungals to teething powders and skin-lightening creams. All of these uses have been banned in the United States however they are available worldwide and in specialized markets. Another reason to carefully understand what your buying and where it is coming from. The half life of inorganic mercury in adults is 40 days and of course much longer in children. Adverse health effects of inorganic mercury mimic those of elemental mercury and include a syndrome known as “pink disease” the syndrome is comprised of leg cramps, irritability, peeling of the hands, nose and soles of the feet.  In sever cases of exposure the circulatory system will collapse and renal failure can be fatal.

Finally the most important form of mercury that has the greatest potential for our children to be exposed is Organic Mercury.

Organic mercury is classified by three organic compounds, methylmercrury, phenylmerury and ethylmerury. All three of these compounds are used as biocides and pesticides.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is used as a fungicide for seed grains. From 1955-1972 methylmercury being used as a fungicide caused an epidemic in Iraq. There were more than 6,000 victims and hundreds of deaths from eating contaminated grains. Children exposed prenatally suffered birth deffects, growth reduction and abnormal reflexes. Exposed children age 2-16 experienced visual and hearing defitis parethesias and incontinence. Another history lesson involving population exposure to methylmercury occurred in 1953 in the fishing village of Minimta, Japan. Villagers consumed fish from a contaminated bay. The average consumption was 300 grams of fish per day and the fish had mercury levels of 10-30 micrograms per gram. There were more than 2000 victims total and 64 children exposed prenatally, none of the prenatally exposed children crawled, walked or stood before age 3 and some not until age 7. Many children who were exposed suffered mental retardation, abnormal reflexes and cerebral palsy.

Organic mercury attacks the proteins found in our DNA, it disrupts our DNA replication process and protein synthesis. Organic mercury impairs cell mobility and control of chromosome movements during cell division. Organic mercury exposure greatly impacts a developing fetus and can have catastrophic effects.

Oranic mercury is used as a latex paint pesticide to prevent mildew growth, it’s also used as a latex paint preservative to prevent discoloration. It’s been used as a fungicidal diaper rinse and in topical pharmacological preparations.

Where has organic mercury been used?

Oranic mercury is used for topical antispetics and was once used as a vaccine preservative known as thimerosal. Thimerosal was used in multi-dose vaccines since the 1930. The CDC states there is no convincing evidence of harm vaused by the doses in vaccines but the single dose of some vaccines did exceed the EPA oral reference dose (RfD) The EPA states the RfD for methylmercury as 0.1 microgram per kilogram per day and single dose vaccines did in fact exceed that EPA standard. Again I’ll let you decide if there is “no evidence of harm” In my opinion if the EPA gives a reference the CDC should acknowledge the standard and in an effort to protect public health, honor their findings and limit exposures to children.

In 1999 vaccine producers limited mercury components of childhood vaccines since 2001 with the exception of the flu vaccine thimersal is not used in routinely recommended childhood vaccines. Current vaccines with trace amounts of theimerosal contain less than 0.5 mircorgrams of mercury per dose.  For our generation our life exposure to mercury during the fist six months via childhood vaccines was 187.5 micrograms and currently our children’s exposure to mercury via vaccines is less that 3 micrograms.  So if your wondering what your child’s exposure to mercury is via the current CDC schedule, now you know.

Now onto mercury in fish, both the EPA and the FDA list fish advisories. These are fish species with the most serious threat, the primary target is pregnant women.  It’s very important to limit yourself to one serving per week, albacore or white tuna and completely avoid swordfish, king mackerel and shark. These fish contain the highest amounts of mercury.

Organic mercury is lipid soluble and readily absorbed from the G.I tract. There is a high deposition of mercury in the liver, kidneys and brain. The primary exposure of mercury in children is eating fish exposed to organic mercury. Currently WIC a program aimed at helping pregnant women and children obtain proper nutrition subsidizes the cost of canned tuna, if a program aimed at the betterment of children aides in the exposure of children to organic mercury what does that say about our children’s future? I personally believe this is a significant problem, encouraging pregnant women and young children to consume food that increases their risk of exposure to toxic organic mercury and serious adverse health effects. 

Organic mercury exposure prevention, how do we address this growing problem. Currently the EPA and FDA have different “safe” exposure rates clearly getting on the same page will help the public understand what is considered safe, by any standard.  Also better education, pregnant women need to understand the risk involved with consuming canned tuna, better manufacturing controls to reduce emissions and more comprehensive regulatory measures to protect children of possible exposures.

On a side not, never ever vaccum a shattered CFL, if you do the mercury found in the bulb is instantly vaporized and spread throughout your home. Also dispose of CFL’s at an approved location, either Home Depot or Lowes.

I’m always open to questions, and if you have any about ways to reduce your families exposure to mercury sources don’t hesitate to ask. Coaching my friends and family on how to live healthier, safer lives is my passion.