Effects on brain functioning may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems. Short-term exposure to high levels of metallic mercury vapors may also cause other effects including lung damage, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or heart rate, skin rashes, and eye irritation. Exposure to high levels of inorganic mercury slats can cause damage, nervous system effects, nausea, and diarrhea. In some repeated poisoning incidents, people who ate contaminated fish or seed grains with high levels of methyl-mercury developed permanent damage to the brain, kidney, and growing fetus. Exposure to methylmercury is more dangerous for young children than for adults, because more of it passes into children's brains where it interferes with normal development.
Test are available to measure mercury levels in the body.
Blood or urine samples used are to test for exposure to metallic mercury an to inorganic from of mercury. Measurement of mercury in whole blood or in scalp hair is used to measure exposure to methylmercury. Your doctor can take samples and send them to a testing laboratory. The EPA requires that discharges or spills of 1 pound or more of mercury be reported. Contact the local occupational and environmental health clinic.