Mercury Poisoning: Analytical Aspects with Brief Overview

Mercury (quicksilver) comes under the class of metallic poisons. At room temperature the metal is in liquid form. Although metallic mercury is not poisonous, but it causes poisoning when inhaled in its vapour form, swallowed or rubbed into skin. The toxicity of mercury depends on its chemical form and route of exposure. It affects the immune system, alters genetic and enzyme systems, and damages the nervous system, including incoordination and the tactile, gustatory and visual hallucinations. Clinical features of mercury poisoning along with differential diagnosis have been presented. The pre-hospital, hospital and post-hospital management will help in providing the proper care to the patient along with the treatment which can be done using BAL, DMSA etc. The qualitative as well as quantitative determination of mercury levels can be done with the help of various sophisticated techniques.