Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that can be harmful when exposure is sufficiently high. The health effects depend on the type of mercury, amount of exposure, route of exposure, and how long exposure continues.
Mercury exposure can occur through contaminated food, certain occupations or industrial processes, broken mercury-containing products, environmental contamination, and other sources. Fish and shellfish are the primary dietary source of methylmercury exposure.
Suspected mercury poisoning should be properly evaluated rather than treated solely with a home detox program. When significant mercury toxicity is confirmed, treatment begins with identifying and stopping the source of exposure. In selected cases, a physician or medical toxicologist may recommend prescription chelation therapy.
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