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. 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. Inform students and parents about the health hazards associated with these necklaces, and that mercury necklaces are not to be brought to school. Unbroken necklaces, thermometers or other objects containing mercury should be discarded by sealing in hard plastic containers and taken to a household hazardous waste collection center. Obtain mercury spill cleanup kits from a safety supplier or analytical laboratory.