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s appetite,nausea,weakness,and muscle tremors. Brief Cancer.There is little reason to think that mercury could exposures to very high levels of mercuryvapors can affect rause cancer, although that possibility has not been the lungs. Nervous Sys -term overexposum to mercury Reproductive Syftew The effects of metallic meratry vapors can cme a &=Aw of qmpt=L IU first on prepanq and reproduction have not been studied sympt y be loss of-atite, and thor 'c` vapor is abso bed changes • ( - into form, in behavior� • � of it is ctrl -us �y mcr=y. In limited studies,exposure of preg tliM ). - include nausea, hen, . to a of either metallic or in- weakninclude and muscle tremom Some of these symptoms organic mercury caused growth retardation, birth have been reported after yem of exposure to mercury at defects,and death of the fetus or of the offspring shortly air levels slightly above the legal limits(sec after birth. In another study,cxposurc,of malt animawls sure Limits")- When Overexposure. stops, these symp- to inorganic mercury reduced their fertility. toms will usually go away. it not known whether mercury muses similar effects is Severe mercury poisoning can permanently damage the humans,but, based on the animal studies, you should nervous system Such damage may be w=mpanicd by handle it as a potential human reproductive toxin and haUuciaa' whole-body tremors,a ' "pias and mimm= your exposure (see "Reducing Your Expo- needles" sensation, pain, tenderness, numbness, and sure"). Nursing women should also avoid exposure to weakness. An interesting note is the past we of mercury mercury, since inhaled mercury can enter a womaWs in felt production. Felt hat manufacturers suffered from breast milk. wit y . r • nessed in the Mad Hatter character inA ice in wonder- TESTS FOR EXPOSURE land,and the popular phrase"mad as a hatter." AND MEDICAL EFFECTS Kidney: bong-term overexposure to mercury can injure the kidneys. In most cases,this damp is reversible and The amount of in your body can be estimated by kidney function will gradually recover once exposure is measuring mercury in wine or blood. Urine analyses are stopped. No obvious symptoms are associattd with kid- best for assessing long-term exposures. Blood tests are ney damage, unless the injury is severe. Special urine useful for assessing recent high-level exposures,if the test tests are used to detect this kidney damage(see"Tuts is done immediately after exposure. Tests for mercury for urn and Medical Effects"). Generally you will exposure should be selected and evaluated on case-by- not have kidney damage if you do not have other symp- case basis by medical personnel who are familiar with toms of chronic mercury ovtrexposurt. these tests. Other medical tests may be needed,as deter- mined by a physician. For example, follow-up of Lungs: inhalation of very high levels of mercury vapors neurological and kidney function may be appropriate for can affect the hings, causing coughing. chest tightness employees with long-term exposures. More details on and pain,difficulty in breathing,and pulmonary edema these tests are available through HESIS. (fluid in the lungs). Fever,chills,nausea,and vomiting may also occur. If you develop these symptoms after an LEGAL EXPOSURE LIMITS . exposure to mercury,see your physician immediately. Eyes,Nose,and Throat: Long-term mercury California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health sure can cause increased salivation and inflammation of (DOSH,or "Cal-OSHA") makes and enforces regula- the mouth and gums. Repeated exposure to mercury tions for chemical exposure in the workplace. vapors may also discolor the lenses of your eyes.This dis- CaVOSHA has adopted two kinds of Icgal limits for the coloration(usually brown)is a sign of mercury amount of mercury in your breathing zone. The fust is a - surc. It can occur with or without other symptoms of Permissible Exposure Limit(PEL)of 0.05 of ovs mercury per cubic meter of air (0A5 , as an avagge level over eight hours. This means that you may Skin: Prolonged skin contact with liquid mercury can be exposed to a levet gremer than OAS nWM3 duringpart . irritate the skin and cause a rash that allows increased of the work day,as long as you are exposed to teas than absorption through the skin. 0.05 mgfm3 at other times,so that your avortg+e exposure 2