The Dangers of Mercury Poisoning
While mercury poisoning can be dangerous for healthy people, it is even more hazardous for pregnant women due to precious cargo they are carrying. Overexposure to mercury can harm an expecting mother and also cause nerve damage, brain disorders, and even death in a fetus.
Sources of Mercury
Mercury can come in a variety of forms, some which can be unexpected, including:
- Thermometers
- Dental fillings
- Light bulbs
- Smoke from burning coal
- Smog from waste incineration
- Certain industrial manufacturing processes
- Fish
Ways to Avoid Mercury
One main tip to stay away from mercury is to avoid broken household products. If you are pregnant, try to get help in cleaning up broken thermometers and light bulbs, as these spill mercury. Due to mercury’s ability to evaporate into the air, stay away from hazy areas or smoke caused by industrial pollution, as you can inhale mercury that has been released into the air.
Of course, preventative methods are the best way to protect you and your unborn child. Check with your dentist to make sure that your fillings are in good repair. You may even be able to get a test to see if the fillings are mercury-based.
Mercury in Fish
Many moms try to eat healthily while pregnant, which is why they turn to eating fish. However, this can prove to be dangerous if a mom is consuming large amounts of fish that are heavy in mercury. Dangerous fish include grouper, shark, and orange roughy, while catfish, salmon, and tilapia have very low levels of mercury.
Contact Us
If your doctor does not advise you to stay away from mercury, your child can suffer from neurological damage, as well as learning problems and hearing impairment. For more information on how medical malpractice can result in birth injuries, contact the Philadelphia birth injury attorneys at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 215-238-1130.