Mercury toxicity can present as ataxia (trouble walking), impaired speech, visual disturbances, hearing loss, GI pain, nephritis, tachycardia, and mood changes. Chelating agents can be used to help detoxify persons with acute inorganic mercury poisoning. Such agents include dimercaprol, D-penicillamine, dimercaptopropane sulfonate, and succimer.
Interestingly, chelation agents are contraindicated for methylmercury or ethylmercury exposure as the chelated mercury complex can redistribute methyl mercury from tissues into the brain, resulting in increased neurotoxicity.
