(NewsNation) — Too much exposure to mercury could lead to mercury poisoning.
What is mercury?
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal found in rocks in the Earth’s crust. It has a silver appearance, lending to its nickname “liquid silver.” Although it is classified as a metal, it can exist in both liquid and solid forms, depending on temperature.
What is mercury poisoning?
Mercury is toxic, and mercury poisoning occurs when your body reacts to being exposed to too much of it, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Mercury poisoning can affect anyone who consumes mercury, but it most severely impacts children and fetuses of pregnant or breastfeeding women who consume large amounts of fish with high mercury content.
Mercury poisoning is rare but can be more common in mining or seaside towns where mercury is found.
Three types of mercury are harmful: Elemental (found in glass thermometers, electrical switches, fluorescent lightbulbs and dental fillings); inorganic (found in batteries, certain types of disinfectants and in chemistry labs); and organic (found in coal fumes, fish that ate mercury and older antiseptics).