The patient complains of rash to her face and arms, generalized fatigue, and a dry cough for several weeks. The patient states she was exposed to mercury via a broken thermostat. Case presentationĪn emergency physician calls the Poison Control Center because a patient has been referred to the emergency department for the complaint of “mercury poisoning” and has a laboratory print out detailing a whole blood mercury level of 1208 mcg/L (normal 0-10 mcg/L). Chelation can be considered but its indications and benefits are not clear. The treatment of mercury toxicity relies on cessation of the exposure and good supportive care. The evaluation of mercury exposure and toxicity is equally confusing as the limitations of laboratory testing must be appreciated. Further complicating the picture is that mercury has deleterious effects on many organic systems, ranging from the brain to the kidney to the skin. ingestion), and distinctly different pathological effects (acute vs. The toxicology of mercury (Hg) is complex due to the presences of different states (elemental, inorganic, and organic), different routes of exposure (inhalation vs. Mercury remains a common heavy metal exposure as it can be found in both the home and industrial setting.