Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil, water, air, and living things. It can also be found in certain products. Mercury is a neurotoxin and negatively affects a person’s health based on how you are exposed (breathing, eating, skin contact, etc.), how long the exposure lasts (amount and duration of exposure), age of the person exposed (younger children still developing are most vulnerable) and the form of mercury (elemental/metallic mercury as a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid or methyl mercury through food like fish).
- Public and Medical Providers can direct questions to the SD Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222
- Questions can also be directed to the following:
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registries at 1-800-232-4636 (TTY: 888-232-6348)
- Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit at 1-877-800-5554
- Questions can also be directed to the following:
- If more than 2 tablespoons have been spilled, notify the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802
- Mercury Exposure in Schools
- Waste Disposal in South Dakota (SD DANR)
- EPA Mercury webpage
- Toxicological Profile for Mercury (CDC)
- Action Levels for Elemental Mercury Spills (CDC)
- Toxic Substances Portal (CDC)
- ToxiFAQs (CDC)
- ToxiFAQs for Metallic Mercury (CDC)