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There are also over 3000 uses for mercury in
various compounds and products, which vary from batteries to floor wax, to
cosmetics.
A new concern of mercury release in the environment
is from the recent increased use of "energy-saving" fluorescent bulbs and tubes.
All of these bulbs contain mercury gas and if disposed improperly in everyday
household, work, or industrial garbage, instead of through disposal centers,
they will create a new and potentially large source of mercury that will be
added to the environment.
Methylmercury the most toxic form of mercury has
been ascending our food chain in the last 100 years. It is especially
concentrated in fish and other aquatic species. Throughout Canada and the USA
over 50,000 lakes and 7% of all river systems post warnings that either ban or
limit fish consumption, due to unacceptable levels of mercury.
What is Mercury?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
there is no known safe level of mercury in humans. It is toxic in extraordinary
small amounts and each atom of mercury that enters the body can inflict harm.
Mercury can damage every enzyme system and every structure in every cell in the
body.
Today we know that mercury is the most toxic
nonradioactive heavy metal on the planet - many times more poisonous than
arsenic, lead, or cadmium. The tiniest amount of mercury once absorbed by the
body can inflict widespread damage to cells, tissues and organs. As mercury is carried by the
blood to the cells of the body, its effects can be detrimental in several ways.
Some examples, to name a few
are:
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Kills healthy cells.
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Penetrates and damages the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the brain.
There it can generate high levels of "free radicals" and damage brain and nerve
cells.
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Inhibits the production of neurotransmitters (brain), and can cause learning
disabilities and impairment, and a reduction in IQ.
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Damages the immune system, resulting in several autoimmune disorders, and also
increases susceptibility to bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
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Increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack.
Pervasive Body Toxicity Symptoms
A particularly challenging characteristic of mercury is its ubiquitous (spreads everywhere) toxicity. The metal can poison every enzyme, damage every cellular structure and virtually kill every cell in the body. This explains the extraordinary diversity of symptoms and diseases that are directly and indirectly attributed to mercury poisoning.
A partial list of common symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning includes:
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Emotions: aggressiveness, anger,
anxiety, apathy, confusion, depression, fear, etc.
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Energy Levels: lethargy,
chronic fatigue, restlessness, etc.
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Neurological (mental): memory loss,
lack of concentration, insomnia, learning and comprehension problems, numbness,
etc.
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Mouth & Throat: metallic taste, bad
breath, burning in mouth, chronic sore throat, bleeding gums (gingivitis), mouth
ulcers, white patches (leukoplakia), etc.
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Head & Sinus: dizziness,
faintness, recurrent headaches, ringing in the ears, chronic stuffy nose,
sinusitis, inflammation in nose, excessive and chronic mucus formation, etc.
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Heart: chest pain,
irregular or rapid heart beat, water retention, etc.
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Other: allergies, anemia, anorexia,
asthma, bronchitis, chest congestion, colitis, glandular swelling, perspiration
(excessive), etc.
Diseases Related to Mercury Toxicity
When it comes to establishing the causative link between mercury and disease, it
is important to consider the numerous related risk factors that can produce
similar symptoms. Each individual depending on his or her particular lifestyle,
nutritional status, and genetic and emotional makeup, will be affected
differently by the cumulative mercury exposure. However, one thing is for
certain, the probability of developing a related health problem dramatically
increases when related risk factors and mercury are present together.
New
research has demonstrated a link between mercury exposure and the following
diseases (Please note that this is a partial list only):
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Alzheimer's, ALS, MS, & Parkinson's
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Asthma, arthritis & autism
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Cardiovascular & Crohns disease
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Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia
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Kidney, Liver & Thyroid disease
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Immune System & Hormonal Dysfunction
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