Young children, developing fetuses, and people with kidney disease or other health conditions are especially vulnerable. Brief contact with mercury can cause harm before symptoms arise. When mercury vapors are inhaled, mercury enters the bloodstream through the lungs. Inhalation of vapors may cause shortness of breath, chest pain and tightness, coughing, nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, eye irritation and increase in blood pressure or heart rate. Further, the central nervous system and kidneys are especially sensitive to the effects of mercury.
High exposures can result in permanent brain or kidney damage.
The severity of harm depends on the level of mercury vapors, the duration of exposure, and individual sensitivity. Mercury can also be absorbed by skin contact. Unaware of the hazards, students bring the fragile glass pendant necklaces to school. Broken necklaces have resulted in mercury spills. When the pendant breaks, the spilled mercury warrants an evacuation of the room and a proper hazardous material cleanup response.