Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury

Mercury is a neurotoxin. How someone's health may be affected by an exposure to mercury depends on a number of factors: The form of mercury (for example, methylmercury or elemental (metallic) mercury); The amount of mercury in the exposure; The age of the person exposed (unborn infants are the most vulnerable); How long the exposure lasts; How the person is exposed -- breathing, eating, skin contact, etc.; and The health of the person exposed. The effects of mercury exposure can be very severe, subtle, or may not occur at all, depending on the factors above. Anyone with concerns about mercury exposure can consult their physician and/or their poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.