The impact of mercury on human health

Background: Mercury, as one of the heavy metals, is present in the environment, and various sources contribute to mercury entering the human body. Continuous exposure or high doses of mercury have a detrimental impact on human health, causing serious and long-term effects. However, in today's society, awareness of the negative consequences has led to efforts to avoid high doses of exposure. It is important to examine how current research trends present the effects of low-dose mercury exposure, both in everyday life and in specific environments.Aim of the Study: The objective of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the current knowledge about the negative effects of mercury exposure on human health. Material and Methods: A literature review was conducted on research published between 2000 and 2024, with additional criteria including English language publications and online availability. The review performs results obtained from the PubMed database by searching the terms: "mercury toxicity," "mercury poisoning," and ("mercury" AND "human health").Results: Our review indicates that studies from the last twenty years do not point to alarming mercury doses resulting from daily exposure. Occupational exposure to mercury vapors (e.g., among hairdressers and dentists) is often more detrimental than the impact of a fish included diet or dental fillings. The effects of mercury also vary depending on genetic variability and taken dose.Conclusions: Diet and amalgam fillings increase mercury levels; however, these are mostly not alarming doses. Daily exposure to mercury vapors or methylmercury can negatively affect neurobehavioral factors in children. Although it is difficult to exceed permissible levels through additional fish consumption, it does increase the total mercury levels in blood and THHg (total hair Hg).