Description
SEE
Course name:
Occupational Health
Course number:
PHC 261
CRN:
Assignment title or task:
(You can write a question)
Choose any one of the common occupational
infectious diseases and discuss the following:
•
•
•
Causes, mode of transmission, and symptoms.
Occupational group at risk
Prevention and control measures
Student Name:
Student ID:
Submission Date:
Instructor name:
Grade:
Dr.
Out of 10
Instructions for submission:
• Make sure to fill out all the relevant information on the coversheet.
• Short essay of 500-750 words (Excluding references).
• The font size should be 12.
• Font type should be Times New Roman
• The heading should be Bold.
• Color should be Black.
• The paragraph must be justified.
• Double line spacing.
• Use proper references in APA style.
• AVOID PLAGIARISM
• Due date: Saturday 20-07-2025 at 11:59PM
Poisoning in the Workplace by Mercury
Causes, Mode of Transmission, and Symptoms
Mercury poisoning is a condition brought about by exposure to mercury, a poisonous heavy
metal. Elemental mercury is a liquid common in work environments; when exposed, it vaporizes
to emit dangerous fumes. The workers can inhale the mercury vapors, which are absorbed into the
bloodstream through the lungs. The exposure may also occur through contact with the liquid
mercury on the skin or by ingestion (Palathoti et al., 2025).
Mercury poisoning can be identified by various symptoms, which depend on the degree of
exposure. Symptoms come in early in the form of tremors, irritability, fatigue, and mood swings.
Other difficulties include memory lapse, poor concentration, and balance as the poisoning
advances. Primary contact may evolve in limb paralysis, mental sloppiness, sight and hearing
complications, and numbness. Exposure in the long run might lead to harm to the kidneys and, in
worst cases, it is lethal. Pregnant women are examined especially, since mercury can damage the
unborn baby (Perreira et al., 2025).
Risk Occupational Groups
Other employees have an increased chance of coming into contact with mercury, which
means they would be more prone to mercury poisoning. Workers, especially miners in the gold
mining industry, are at high risk of being affected by mercury during gold mining. These workers
are further exposed to mercury vapor during processing, thereby exposing them further (Perreira
et al., 2025).
Workers in manufacturing industries also face the threat, especially those who produce
thermometers, light bulbs, and batteries. Such workers can be exposed to mercury in production
and maintenance. The risk goes to healthcare workers, especially the ones who utilize older
mercury devices such as thermometers and dental amalgams. Spills of mercury at the dental clinic
or laboratory may result in massive exposure. Scientists and laboratory workers who work with
mercury compounds are also at risk, as are workers in waste management who deal with waste
that contains mercury (Palathoti et al., 2025). .
Prevention and Control Measures
The prevention of mercury poisoning is based on protective measures, adequate education,
and periodic health checks. One of the best ways is to replace mercury with other safe alternatives.
An example is reducing exposure by using non-mercury thermometers and replacing dangerous
chemicals in the production process with safer ones. Critical protective equipment (PPE) is the
most important. When handling mercury, the workers must use gloves, face shields, respirators,
and protective clothing. Adequate hygiene practices, like frequent hand washing, can further
eliminate exposure. The workers should also be trained on handling and disposing of mercury
safely (Palathoti et al., 2025).
Proper ventilation should be highly maintained in workplaces that cause unavoidable
exposure. Adequate ventilation is also critical in eliminating the mercury vapors in the air,
reducing their harmful concentrations. Employers ought also to ensure that when there is a spillage
of mercury, it is cleaned immediately through suitable kits, and workers should be trained to clean
up safely. Another vital prevention step is health surveillance. The at-risk workers must be
subjected to frequent screenings whereby mercury levels in the body are checked. Mercury
exposure can be noticed in early stages, through blood or urine tests, and exploited to seek medical
attention. Where there is an accidental exposure, the workers must be examined by a doctor and
taken out of the exposure (Perreira et al., 2025).
Conclusion
Another occupational health hazard, of particular concern during mining, manufacturing,
healthcare, and laboratory procedures, is mercury poisoning. The risks of developing severe
neurological and kidney damage under the influence of mercury are relatively high; nevertheless,
it is possible to minimize them with the help of adequate prevention policies. Workspace safety
can be achieved by employers taking these precautions that include the introduction of safer
substances and using PPEs, maintaining good ventilation, and overall health check-ups on workers
to ensure that they are not affected negatively by the presence in the workplace.
References
Pereira, I., Lamas, A., & Ferreira, I. H. (2025). Mercury Exposure in Goldsmithing: Unveiling
Occupational Haz
Palathoti, S. R., Otitolaiye, V. O., Mahfud, R., & Al Rawahi, M. (2022). Impacts of mercury
exposure on human health, safety and environment: Literature review and bibliometric
analysis (1995 to 2021). International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 12(4),
336-352.
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