Open AccessElemental Mercury Toxicity due to Aspiration following Intentional Massive Ingestion
Author(s) -
Alison J. Dawson,
Amalia Iliopoulou,
Susana Gonzalez
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acute medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.14
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1747-4892
pISSN - 1747-4884
DOI - 10.52964/amja.0294
Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , ingestion , medicine , mercury poisoning , elemental mercury , toxicity , chelation therapy , abdominal pain , vomiting , nausea , gastroenterology , surgery , chemistry , adsorption , organic chemistry , thalassemia , computer science , programming language
Deliberate poisoning with intentional ingestion of elemental mercury is reported not to result in systemic toxicity due to minimal absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of a 43 year old male who intentionally ingested 200ml elemental mercury which resulted in abdominal pain and vomiting. The patient subsequently aspirated globules of mercury which was confirmed on chest x-ray and his blood mercury levels were markedly raised. He was treated with chelating agents and managed in a negative pressure room to reduce the risk of staff being exposed to exhaled mercury vapour from the patient.