What Causes Lead & Mercury Poisoning in Humans?

  • Context: Medical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter hover
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lead Mercury
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Lead and mercury poisoning in humans is primarily caused by the neurotoxic effects of these heavy metals on cellular structures. Mercury ions disrupt the cell membrane integrity, particularly in developing neurons, leading to significant neurotoxicity. While pharmaceutical companies claim that small doses of mercury are harmless, scientific evidence suggests that mercury can accumulate in the body, posing long-term health risks. The consensus on lead indicates its detrimental effects on cellular function, especially in brain and lung cells.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of neurotoxicity and its effects on the nervous system
  • Knowledge of heavy metal accumulation in biological systems
  • Familiarity with cellular membrane structure and function
  • Basic concepts of toxicology and its implications for human health
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms of mercury neurotoxicity in detail
  • Explore the long-term effects of lead exposure on human health
  • Investigate the role of heavy metals in cellular membrane disruption
  • Learn about current guidelines and regulations regarding mercury in vaccines
USEFUL FOR

Medical professionals, toxicologists, public health officials, and anyone interested in understanding the impacts of heavy metal exposure on human health.

hover
Messages
342
Reaction score
0
Hey everyone,

I have a question about lead and mercury poisoning in the human body. What actually happens in the human body that causes lead and mercury to be poisonous?

Thanks!
 
Biology news on Phys.org
I'm no expert, but i think mercury ions affect the cell membrane struture of developing neurons.
i saw a very informatiove clip on mercury neurotoxicity from the university of calgary,

This isn't an easy topic, it depends who you speak to. Ask a drug company, they'll agree that it is highly neurotoxic, but in small doses is harmless (because they put it in vaccines), but some scientists say that mercury has the capability to build up in a person, so I'm not sure what to believe about mercury these days. The establishment opinion is that in very small doses its ok.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ok i know its a heavy element that is desipated in the cell membrane so the cell can't face this damage and can't remove it from it's membrane ,

specially in the brain cells and lungs cells ...,
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K