If a river or lake is known to be polluted with mercury, fish eaters are warned to decrease their weekly intake of fish. Organic mercury compounds are very damaging. They are toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin and eye contact. These mercury compounds can attack all body systems. They can cause nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea, kidney failure, skin burns and irritation, respiratory distress, swollen gums and mouth sores, drooling, numbness and tingling in the lips, mouth, tongue, hands and feet, tremors and incoordination, vision and hearing loss, memory loss, personality changes and headache.
Allergic reactions can also occur.
Methyl-mercury, usually from contaminated food, is very dangerous to pregnant women. Methyl-mercury causes profound mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures, spasticity, tremors, and incoordination, along with eye and hearing damage in the unborn baby as a result of the mother's exposure. Organic mercury passes into the breast milk as well. Because the number of symptoms is so great and the variety of symptoms is so wide, anyone could pick out at least two or three symptoms at any given time. If you have any doubt and if you have been or are exposed to mercury compounds, see a physician and get tested.