Mercury Vapors Are Hazardous
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Mercury Vapors Are Hazardous
CPSC Document #5057
Because some herb-selling shops or "botanicas" sell mercury for
use in homes, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
is alerting consumers that mercury vapors (which have no odor)
are hazardous. CPSC recommends that consumers avoid breathing
mercury vapors. Most uses of mercury that expose consumers to
fumes are banned. However, some ethnic traditions encourage the
sprinkling of mercury around the house for religious reasons.
This is hazardous because people - especially young children -
could breathe the mercury vapors.
Mercury can cause serious and permanent nerve and kidney damage.
Mercury poisoning (acrodynia) has these symptoms: rapid
heartbeat, sweating, irritability or hostility, withdrawal or
shyness, memory loss, peeling of hands and feet, leg pain, slight
hand tremors, difficulty with fine motor control (such as
handwriting), sleeplessness, and headaches. Young children and
children born to women exposed during pregnancy may be especially
sensitive.
If you believe you have mercury poisoning, see a doctor. If
mercury has been sprinkled in your home, open all windows so the
mercury vapors can escape. It may take several days of
ventilation to eliminate the mercury. If you have questions about
how to clean up and dispose of mercury, call your local health
department. To avoid mercury poisoning, do not sprinkle mercury
around the house or expose people in the home to mercury vapors.
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