Elemental mercury toxicity due to aspiration following intentional massive ingestion
Dawson, A.J.; Iliopoulou, A.; Gonzalez, S.
Acute Medicine 12(2): 93-95
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1747-4892 PMID: 23732132 Document Number: 12385
Deliberate poisoning with intentional ingestion of elemental mercury is reported not to result in systemic toxicity due to minimal absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of a 43 year old male who intentionally ingested 200 ml elemental mercury which resulted in abdominal pain and vomiting. The patient subsequently aspirated globules of mercury which was confirmed on chest x-ray and his blood mercury levels were markedly raised. He was treated with chelating agents and managed in a negative pressure room to reduce the risk of staff being exposed to exhaled mercury vapour from the patient.
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