Acute and Critical Care

Case Report

Acute Mercury Vapor Inhalation Toxicity after Burning Charms: A Case Report: Hong Yeul Lee, Gyoung Hoon Kang, Ki Ho Nam, Mi Hye Kim, Bock Hyun Jung, Hui Dong Kang, Se Hyun Oh, Jaemin Lim; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2010;25(3):182-185.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2010.25.3.182

Abstract PDF: Cinnabar is the mineral with mercury in combination with sulfur, and it has been used to make charms in China and Korea. If cinnabar is overheated, mercury vapor that is extremely hazardous or sometimes fatal can be released. We experienced 5 patients of a family who were exposed to mercury vapor when they burnt charms. One of them developed severe acute respiratory failure and the patient needed mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Despite treatment with cortiocosteroid, D-penicillamine, ECMO and plasmapheresis, the radiologic findings of a patient worsened and he died.

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