How dangerous is mercury inhalation?

Inhaling mercury can cause acute severe lung disease, causing the victim to cough, have difficulty breathing, have chest pain and a burning sensation in the lungs.

The news that Hanoi is contaminated with mercury in the air has caused panic among many people because mercury is an extremely toxic substance. However, not all of Hanoi is contaminated with mercury in the air.

Mainly found in Long Bien district

The General Department of Environment's automatic continuous air monitoring station located at 556 Nguyen Van Cu, Long Bien, Hanoi has recently been regularly warning about the level of air pollution in Hanoi.

According to Dr. Hoang Duong Tung - Deputy Director General of the General Department of Environment, the level of air pollution in Hanoi changes over time and is currently decreasing.

However, the air quality index (AQI) measured on April 14 still fluctuated at 54-140 - a poor level on the scale, advising sensitive people to limit going outside.

The warnings are raising fears among the people.

About 6 weeks before that – in early March, the AQI index in Hanoi reached 388 – the highest level of pollution on the scale, recommending that people stay indoors (monitoring results of the US Embassy at building number 7 Lang Ha, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi).

The concentration of fine dust PM2.5 is 3 times higher than the recommended level according to national standards on ambient air quality and 7 times higher than the recommendation of the World Health Organization.

Talking about the AQI index at that time, Dr. Tung said: “This index is 1.5 times higher than the allowable level. During this time, the pollution level decreased, but not due to a decrease in pollution sources, but due to the weather.

Looking at lessons from around the world, Mr. Tung said that if effective environmental protection measures are not taken soon, Hanoi's air will inevitably become as seriously polluted as Beijing's in the not too distant future, according to the Science and Development newspaper.

Harmful effects of inhaling mercury in the air

When humans inhale mercury in the air, it is quickly absorbed through the respiratory tract, through the alveolar membrane into the blood to the kidneys, liver, spleen and central nervous system. If mercury is inhaled, it can cause acute severe lung disease, causing the victim to cough, have difficulty breathing, chest pain and a burning sensation in the lungs.

In addition, mercury causes memory loss, stomatitis, drowsiness, convulsions, vomiting and enteritis. In some cases, it can cause acute poisoning, respiratory failure, and even death if exposed to large amounts of mercury.

Mercury vapor can also penetrate the body through the skin causing allergic dermatitis, especially on the face, neck, armpits and inner thighs. Symptoms include a large red rash, itching and mild pain.

When you have mercury poisoning, you will initially feel a metallic taste in your mouth, then headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, body aches, fatigue, and cold stomach.

Then you may have insomnia, panic attacks, unusual emotions, and instability before more severe symptoms appear./.

According to VOV