If a woman is exposed to high levels of mercury while she is pregnant, her health and the baby's health are threatened. A woman can take several actions to help reduce the amount of mercury she and her baby are exposed to.
Mercury is a metal that is found naturally in several forms. It is a shiny, silvery-white liquid used in thermometers. Mercury can evaporate and become a colorless, odorless vapor. It can combine with other material to form compounds that are dangerous to human health.
How Is a Person Exposed to Mercury?
People can be exposed to mercury by breathing in air, eating food or drinking water contaminated with mercury. Mercury can also enter the body through the skin.
Mercury occurs naturally in the air we breathe. It can also be released into the air by:
- Burning of waste
- Burning of coal in power plants
- Certain industrial processes
Mercury in the air eventually falls back to earth and builds up in oceans, lakes, rivers and streams. The fish in these waters absorb the mercury. When people eat these fish, they are exposed to mercury.
People can also be exposed to mercury in other ways. Three types of exposure are:
- Dental fillings
- Broken thermometers
- Broken fluorescent and high-intensity light bulbs
The Health Risks of Mercury Exposure
Mercury can damage many parts of the body, including the nervous system, the lungs, the kidneys, vision, and hearing. The seriousness of the risk depends upon how much mercury a person is exposed to. The risk is greater for fetuses and children than for adults.
Babies who are exposed to mercury while in the womb can suffer severe damage to the nervous system and may die. They may have brain damage, learning disabilities and hearing loss.
Eating Fish During Pregnancy
Eating too much fish containing mercury can be a health risk. The risk is especially serious for a fetus. For specific information, read the article Food Safety.
Mercury on the Job
Pregnant women should avoid working in jobs where they might be exposed to mercury liquid or vapors. If you have questions about exposure on the job, talk to your health care provider, preferably before you are pregnant.
Mercury in Dental Fillings
Some dental fillings contain mercury. When these fillings are placed in teeth and removed from teeth, they release mecury vapor. Mercury vapor may also be released during chewing.
Some people are concerned that mercury fillings may harm the nervous systems of developing fetuses. Should pregnant women avoid mercury fillings? A 2006 advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration said there was not enough scientific information to answer this question.
Some countries are not waiting for further research. They are being more cautious than the United States. Canada, France and Sweden have recommended that pregnant women avoid mercury fillings.
If you are pregnant and need to have a tooth filled, talk to your dentist about the options available to you.
Unless mercury fillings are broken or damaged, they should not be removed since removal may release mercury.
Discarding Broken Thermometers, Fluorescent Light Bulbs, and High-Intensity Light Bulbs
If you are pregnant, ask an adult who isn't pregnant to dispose of broken thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, and high-intensity light bulbs. Do not let children handle these items. A vacuum cleaner should not be used to clean mercury spills.
To avoid mercury spills, store these items in a way that prevents them from breaking.
For specific information, see the recommendations provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
