Let's be honest, human history is cluttered with screw-ups of catastrophic proportion. In a list that would extend for miles, incorrect ideas about mercury is one that really stands out. Although it’s a natural element found in the earth’s crust, often in regions with volcanic activity, its natural status doesn’t mean it’s safe. In fact, it was previously thought to be a good and healthful substance. The first emperor of China was said to have taken mercury pills to give him eternal life. Instead the mercury pills destroyed his system and eventually he died. Years ago, hat makers used mercury to stiffen and form hats. This exposure lead to the high mortality rate of hat makers, but not before driving them mad.
Exposure to Mercury
Part of the reason mercury is extremely toxic is because it can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. It’s bad stuff and is simply best avoided, though it is often used in thermometers, barometers, and other scientific equipment. Pollution into our environment has caused mercury to be found in seafood.  Previously, opinions existed that removing the skin of seafood may significantly reduce the exposure to mercury but other research has found this not to be the case. 
One of the worst ways mercury is still used is the dental industry's use of mercury amalgam fillings. If you have these, my advice is get them removed. If you need a filling, make sure your dentist does not use this toxic substance.
Mercury is often a danger in industrial settings and exists in power plants that use coal. Some medical applications, including vaccine production, involve mercury. Efforts to control mercury exposure have existed in the form of the 1990 United States Clean Air Act as well as activity by the EPA but mercury remains a toxic and prevalent toxin in our environment.
What Does Mercury Do To The Body?
How Mercury Causes Neurodegeneration (Brain Damage)
Length: 5 minutes
Mercury has no value to the human body and is best thought of as poison. The effects of mercury exposure vary depending on the form and level of exposure. Acute exposure to mercury vapor can produce serious effects on the nervous system including psychotic reactions, hallucinations, suicidal tendencies and delirium. Continued exposure can produce violent muscular spasms and even death. When it enters the body, it is stored in the kidneys, blood, spleen, brain, liver, bones and fatty tissues.
It’s bad stuff for everyone and this is doubly true for pregnant or nursing women. Breast milk can become contaminated and in utero exposure to mercury has been attributed to an increase in neural tube defects.  
What Can Be Done About Mercury Poisoning?
If mercury exposure happens through diet or environmental toxins, then your diet or environment are due for an adjustment.  Cilantro has long been thought to facilitate the removal of toxic metals, including mercury, from the body. You may also benefit from a rudimentary body cleansing protocol such as the Colon Cleanse Program™ to get your body to an appropriate baseline so as to begin a Chemical and Heavy Metal Cleanse™ to remove the toxic metals from your body.
- Mania M, Wojciechowska-Mazurek M, Starska K, Rebeniak M, Postupolski J. [Fish and seafood as a source of human exposure to methylmercury]. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2012;63(3):257-64. Polish.
- Zhang X, Gandhi N, Bhavsar SP, Ho LS. Effects of skin removal on contaminant levels in salmon and trout filets. Sci Total Environ. 2013 Jan 15;443:218-25. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.10.090. Epub 2012 Nov 25.
- in L, Zhang L, Li Z, Liu JM, Ye R, Ren A. Placental concentrations of mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic and the risk of neural tube defects in a Chinese population. Reprod Toxicol. 2013 Jan;35:25-31. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2012.10.015. Epub 2012 Nov 16.
- Llop S, Ibarlucea J, Sunyer J, Ballester F. [Current dietary exposure to mercury during pregnancy and childhood, and public health recommendations]. Gac Sanit. 2013 May-Jun;27(3):273-8. doi: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2012.09.002. Epub 2012 Oct 31. Spanish.
- Kim NY, Ahn SJ, Ryu DY, Choi BS, Kim H, Yu IJ, Park JD. Effect of lifestyles on the blood mercury level in Korean adults. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2012 Nov 15.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.