How can mercury compounds damage the kidneys and nervous system?

Mercury compounds are highly toxic substances that cause severe damage to the body through different mechanisms depending on the type of exposure and the specific compound involved.12

Kidney Damage

Acute poisoning, often resulting from the ingestion of soluble mercury salts like mercuric chloride, leads to the concentration of mercury within the kidneys. Once there, the mercury poisons the blood-filtering structures of the organ. This damage causes a significant decrease or total cessation of urine output, leading to the accumulation of toxic substances in the blood—a condition known as uremia—which can be fatal.2

Nervous System Damage

Exposure to organic mercurial compounds primarily causes lesions within the central nervous system. This type of toxicity, famously associated with Minamata disease, manifests through progressive muscle weakness, vision loss, and the impairment of cerebral functions. In severe cases, this damage can progress to paralysis, coma, and death. Additionally, chronic inhalation of mercury vapors or dusts can lead to neurological symptoms, including tremors, numbness, and significant mental or personality changes.2