Is eating Mercury fatal?

Mercury is a heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans. Consuming food that contains mercury is the most common cause of mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning can cause severe symptoms and put the body at unnecessary risk.

1. What happens if a human eats mercury?
2. How much mercury is toxic?
3. Does mercury stay in your body forever?

What happens if a human eats mercury?

The inorganic salts of mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested. Neurological and behavioural disorders may be observed after inhalation, ingestion or dermal exposure of different mercury compounds.

How much mercury is toxic?

Lethal doses of methyl mercury result in paralysis and death. The estimated lethal dose of methyl mercury for a 70 kg (154 lb) person ranges from 20 to 60 mg per kilogram of body weight.

Does mercury stay in your body forever?

Mercury does not stay in the body forever. It takes about six months to a year to leave the bloodstream once exposure stops. Some researchers think mercury can permanently damage the nervous system in children.