| Mercury is one of the most harmful substances released into the environment - it is, basically, a potent neurotoxin. It is the more dangerous in that it tends to accumulate in tissues of both plants and animals (including humans). The symptoms of mercury exposure include: tremors; emotional changes (e.g., mood swings, irritability, nervousness, excessive shyness); insomnia; neuromuscular changes (such as weakness, muscle atrophy, twitching); headaches; disturbances in sensations; changes in nerve responses; performance deficits on tests of cognitive function, kidney effects, respiratory failure and death. The relative toxicity of mercury is very high, about five times that of lead.
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