What are the health effects of metallic or inorganic mercury exposure in children?
• Limited information is available on the effects of mercury vapour on early stages of childhood. High exposure to mercury vapours can cause lung, stomach and intestinal damage. In severe cases, induced respiratory failure may result in death. “Pink disease” or acrodynia has been reported most frequently in children treated with teething powders that contained calomel (mercury) or in children who inhaled mercury vapour, such as from broken thermometers. These children also developed irritability, insomnia, increases in perspiration and photophobia (sensitivity to light). Teething powders are no longer used in Canada (see Q.43 – Q.44). • Children exposed to excessive amounts of mercury chloride tablets for constipation, worms or to mercurous chloride-containing powders for teething discomfort, had swollen red gums, excessive salivation, weight loss, diarrhea and/or abdominal pain, and muscle twitching or cramping in the legs and/or arms, increased heart rates and elevated blood pressure
