Abstract
Mercury has a number of unique and fascinating properties. It is present in the environment in several forms, both organic and inorganic. Each of these forms has somewhat unique properties that differentiate them from the other forms, but all are toxic to humans in one way or the others. Mercury has been proven to be a potential source of poisoning in children as a result of the inappropriate handling of a liquid mercury. The cases of metallic mercury vapor intoxication not associated with occupational exposure may occur in school science laboratories, from mercury dust and powders, from latex paint containing a mercury-based fungicide, and from normal wear or installation of dental amalgam fillings. Another source of toxic mercury exposure can be broken thermometers, barometers, or sphygmomanometers that may occur in the home, and children are often victims of environmental exposure. In this paper, we present three members of a family who were exposed to mercury brought home from school by a family member. Since the mercury exposure was not known, the initial presentation and clinical picture suggested a misdiagnosis, a contagious infectious disease, because the onset of symptoms occurred at different times in the same family members. A subsequent change to a diagnosis of mercury intoxication and chelation therapy with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid was started.
References
Azziz-Baumgartner E, Luber G, Schurz-Rogers H et al (2007) Exposure assessment of a mercury spill in a Nevada school—2004. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 45(4):391–395
Barregard L, Sallsten G, Schutz A et al (1992) Kinetics of mercury in blood and urine after brief occupational exposure. Arch Environ Health 47:176–184
Beusterien KM, Etzel RA, Agocs MM et al (1991) Indoor air mercury concentrations following application of interior latex paint. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 21(1):62–64
Bluhm RE, Bobbitt RG, Welch LW et al (1992) Elemental mercury vapour toxicity, treatment, and prognosis after acute, intensive exposure in chloralkali plant workers. Part I: history, neuropsychological findings and chelator effects. Hum Exp Toxicol 11(3):201–210
Cherry D, Lowry L, Velez L et al (2002) Elemental mercury poisoning in a family of seven. Fam Community Health 24:1–8
Erkek N, Senel S, Sarac A et al (2010) Being alive after a severe inorganic mercury intoxication. Eur J Pediatr 169(5):625–628
Fischbach FT (1992) A manual of laboratory & diagnostic testing, 4th edn. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, pp 214–216
Gochfeld M (2003) Cases of mercury exposure, bioavailability, and absorption. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 56:174–179
Hursh JB, Cherian MG, Clarkson TW et al (1976) Clearence of mercury (Hg-197, Hg-203) vapor inhaled by human subjects. Arch Environ Health 31:302–309
Johnson CL (2004) Mercury in the environment: sources, toxicities and prevention of exposure. Pediatr Ann 33(7):437–442
Kao RT, Dault S, Pichay T (2004) Understanding the mercury reduction issue: the impact of mercury on the environment and human health. J Calif Dent Assoc 32:574–579
MacLehose R, Pitt G, Will S et al (2001) Mercury contamination incident. J Public Health Med 23:18–22
Rennie AC, McGregor-Schuerman M, Dale IM et al (1999) Mercury poisoning after spillage at home from a sphygmomanometer on loan from hospital. BMJ 319:366–367
Risher JF, Amler SN (2005) Mercury exposure: evaluation and intervention. The inappropriate use of chelating agents in the diagnosis and treatment of putative mercury poisoning. Neurotoxicology 26:691–699
Tunnessen WW Jr, McMahon KJ, Baser M (1987) Acrodynia: exposure to mercury from fluorescent light bulbs. Pediatrics 79(5):786–789
Yeates KO, Mortensen ME (1994) Acute and chronic neuropsychological consequences of mercury vapor poisoning in two early adolescents. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 16(2):209–222
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tezer, H., Erkoçoğlu, M., Kara, A. et al. Household poisoning cases from mercury brought from school. Eur J Pediatr 170, 397–400 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-010-1317-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-010-1317-1