But in spite of this increased attention to preventative medicine, millions of us are walking around with what is considered by some to be a toxic time bomb in our mouths - our dental fillings. Mercury is a pervasive, deep penetrating chemical that is easily absorbed once in the human body. The brain tissue is especially sensitive to this metal. Mercury, the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Chronic, long term exposure to mercury can manifest itself in the body in a variety of ways including nervousness, mood instability, tremors, abnormal reflexes, kidney damage, impaired hearing and brain cancer.
Exposure can lead to infertility and result in birth defects.
In acute exposure to large amounts, abdominal pain, mouth pain, vomiting, blood in the urine, difficulty moving and kidney failure often result. It is known to impair the functioning of the immune system. Mercury has been known for thousands of years. It has fascinated people since its discovery, as it is the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature. Mercury has been used widely in the industrial age.