Miners who handle mercury without due care should take notice. Elemental mercury toxicity (which usually occurs in the vaporized form) can cause mood swings, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, headache, abnormal sensations, muscle twitching, tremors, weakness, muscle atrophy, and decreased cognitive functions. The inorganic salts in mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and intestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
Mercury is also the source of Minamata disease which cause severe cases of brain damage, paralysis, incoherent speech and delirium. Neurological and behavioural disorders may be observed after inhalation, ingestion or exposure to different mercury compounds.
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