What is Mercury Poisoning? | National Geographic

Also known as quicksilver, mercury (Hg) was once thought to heal broken bones and prolong life. Today, this chemical element is known to be a dangerous neurotoxin. Mercury poses a range of serious health risks including kidney damage, memory loss, and even death. From burning fossil fuels to eating contaminated swordfish and tuna, learn about the causes of mercury poisoning and how regulating use could prevent future risk.

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[NatGeo]

Mercury poisoning can have psychological and physical consequences for humans. What new facts did you learn about the different ways we are exposed to the chemical today?

[leonelc]

That doesn't answer the question in any way.

[rohanmulay]

And i learnt nothing about mercury poisoning..

[zengarden]

I was expecting the video to be about how mercury attacks the body and causes symptoms of poisoning. D:

[SammySlammerB]

The origins of the phrase mad as a hatter popularized by lewis carols alice in wonderland exist because of mercury poisoning, along time ago people who made and sold hats (phelters) used mercury in the process, and when exposed to large quantities for prolonged periods of time resulted in a condition which left the individual acting strange and erratic, giving inspiration to lewis carols character The Mad Hatter.

Also in the 60-70s many small islands off the coast of japan began experiencing an epidemic of a particular illness with symptoms similar to the cases of stillbirth and disfigured babies associated with the Chernobyl nuclear fallout, this disease would later be classified as minemota and linked directly to the fish being consumed in their region having large concentrations of mercury at consideredly unsafe to consume amounts.

Not sure why I just spent the past 15 minutes exhausting my limited knowledge of this peculiar topic but alas, there it is to be shared with strangers who stumble upon this particular comment section.

[jredenfield]

And from "silver" amalgam fillings used by dentists for decades...

[Automedon]

It's amazing to think that, as kids, 50+ years ago we used to play with mercury. We'd break large thermometers to get the mercury beads and bring them to school. Just about all the kids were carrying vials of mercury and we handled it constantly - rolled it around on our desks.. The kids who had accumulated a large 'glob' were very proud of it. Maybe I'm brain damaged as a result.

[allclades]

When I was a kid I remember my mom letting us play with mercury in a big metal bowl. Looking back they may not have been the most solid parenting.

[thatcomment-er]

I keep watching Science videos, but I keep getting F's in Science.

[robotsongs]

Still no narrator, huh? Maybe YouTube isn't the right medium for National Geographic?

To elaborate, your videos continue to be stock footage and words. This is, in essence, a moving webpage.

[godscommandmentsaretruthis]

Old "silver" dental fillings also contain Mercury in them. Though the FDA says it's safe at low levels, I'm not buying that. As far as I'm concerned, Mercury in dental fillings is about as brilliant as leaded gasoline.

[alphaadhito]

Meanwhile Cody is *floating on mercury*

[KeeperJoseph]

Such a deadly, yet beautiful element.

[abyssgoofy]

I think you should use "how" instead of "what" because it is about poisoning for 10-15 seconds and how it goes into our body for a whole minute.

[jumpjetterz]

0:01 the dude dipping his hand: oo lala it's satisfying
Us: u r dead af

[blingyad]

First of all it should be written as *why* is mercury ..

[TheStaggpaul]

First, let's discuss your delivery. You have excellent images but they are distracting for your subtitles. Try to incorporate verbal communication along with your visuals. Second, discuss how it affects the central nervous system. I hope you take your communities advice. :) Live long and prosper!

[geenobe]

Mercury poisoning is listening to too much queen

[mattb]

This video not only failed to answer the full question, it also conveniently left out that people in developed countries are most exposed to mercury by way of vaccines as small children.

[campinoy]

when im 9 years old

i saw a thermometer im so curious about that grey thing inside a thermometer (mercury)

then i broke it then find the grey thing
but i cant get it. so i lick and smell it but noThing happened to me.



[sorry for bad english]