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How to Know If You're Giving Yourself Mercury Poisoning from Fish. Some fish have levels
of mercury so high that it may be harmful, especially for pregnant women and young children.
Find out if you may have been exposed to mercury. You will need Awareness of symptoms and your
doctor's advice. Call your health-care provider if you have symptoms of organic mercury poisoning
or if you know you have eaten foods that may have been contaminated with organic mercury.
Step 1. Know that, except when exposure is to large doses, it usually takes years or
decades for symptoms of mercury poisoning to show up. Mercury from seafood stays in
the body for many months, but once you stop eating seafood, the level of mercury in your
blood will most likely drop slowly down to a low level. Step 2. Report any seizures,
which are often seen with exposure to large doses of mercury. Step 3. Keep note of other
symptoms such as skin numbness or pain, uncontrollable shakes or tremors, inability to walk normally,
blindness or double vision, or memory problems. Step 4. Make an appointment with your doctor
to report your list of symptoms and concerns. Step 5. Ask your doctor whether you should
have blood and urine tests to measure mercury levels if you think you have consumed mercury-contaminated
seafood. Did you know Coal-fired power plants in the United States emit about 48 tons of
mercury into the atmosphere each year.