What should I do if I eat mercury? ——Emergency treatment and scientific response guide
Recently, discussions on children’s accidental ingestion of mercury have become increasingly popular on the Internet, especially among parents. The following is structured information based on hot topics in the past 10 days to help you quickly understand response measures.
1. Core data of mercury poisoning
| Danger source | Common scenarios | poisoning threshold |
|---|---|---|
| thermometer mercury | Home Medical Supplies | 0.1mg/m³ (air concentration) |
| Industrial mercury compounds | Batteries, fluorescent lights | 0.025mg/kg (blood content) |
2. Emergency treatment steps for accidental ingestion of mercury
1.keep calm: The absorption rate of liquid metal mercury through the digestive tract is less than 0.01%, which is far safer than inhaling vapor.
2.Act now:
| Operation | scientific basis |
|---|---|
| Rinse mouth to clean mouth | Reduce mucosal residue |
| Drink milk/egg white | Protein delays mercury absorption |
| It is forbidden to induce vomiting | Avoid secondary damage |
3. Situations that require medical treatment
You should seek medical attention immediately if you develop the following symptoms:
| Symptoms | Appearance time |
|---|---|
| Abdominal pain/diarrhea | Within 2-4 hours |
| swollen gums | 24 hours later |
| Body tremors | Chronic poisoning symptoms |
4. Clarification of Hot Misunderstandings
1.Swallowing ≠ Poisoning: The statement "You will die if you swallow mercury" recently spread by a short video platform is unscientific. The actual risk depends on the form of mercury.
2.Disposal of a Broken Thermometer:
| Wrong approach | Correct operation |
|---|---|
| Clean with vacuum cleaner | Will accelerate mercury volatilization |
| direct contact with hands | Rubber gloves should be worn |
5. Suggestions on preventive measures
1. Store mercury-containing items such as thermometers out of the reach of children.
2. Purchase an electronic thermometer to replace the traditional mercury thermometer (China has clearly banned all production in 2026).
3. Regularly check the integrity of household medical supplies.
6. Contact information of authoritative organizations
| institution | Poison consultation hotline |
|---|---|
| Beijing Poison Treatment Center | 010-83132345 |
| Shanghai Poison Control Center | 021-62758710 |
This article combines the latest guidelines from the National Health Commission and the recommendations from the emergency departments of tertiary hospitals to remind the public: correct treatment is more important than panic. In case of emergency, please contact professional medical institutions immediately.
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