Page 38 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Mercury poisoning
Mercury can be a benefit and a hazard. For example, mercurochrome is an organic mercury compound that
acts as an antibacterial agent and an effective wound dressing. However, when mercury use is not controlled, disasters often follow.
The hazards of working with mercury have been known for a long time. For example, inhaling mercury vapour
can affect the nervous system and
in extreme cases can cause severe pneumonia and death. The famous character of the Mad Hatter in
Lewis Caroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is based on the fact that mercury poisoning was common among the hatters of the 19th century. At this time it was usual to prepare the felt of hats using mercuric nitrate.
Because of such problems, the
use of mercury has been drastically reduced. However, some people
still use mercury extensively, and in these situations mercury pollution can occur. In 1990 it was feared that gold mining operations in the Brazilian rain forest, where mercury is used to wash gold from sediment, had created pollution in the rivers and was responsible for poisoning fish and humans.
 The Mad Hatter (far right) from Lewis Caroll’s story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Cosmetics and mercury poisoning
In the past, people placed considerable value on the colours that certain mercury compounds can produce and they used them
as cosmetics despite the obvious consequences to their health. By the 16th century, for example, a wide range of cosmetics was available. This included a bright red lip colouring, known as fucus red, which was actually mercuric sulphide.
Use on the lips, it was constantly ingested along with food and drink, often leading to fatal consequences.
Another substance, a skin lotion known as Soliman’s Water, was used to remove skin blemishes. It was made with sublimate of mercury. If used for long enough, it too could have fatal consequences.
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