Mercury Question?

After touching mercury and inhaling the vapors about 20-30 years ago, would you still be affected in damages inside of you such as lung, liver, and brain damages.

Mercury can affect individuals mainly in two ways. Immediately (which after 20-30 years should not be a problem) and long term. Long term effects include brain damage and autism. But if you only encountered it once, it should have no long lasting effects now.

Very possibly, yes. Mercury poisoning, is also known as mercurialism.

Mercury damages the central nervous system, endocrine system, kidneys, and other organs, and adversely affects the mouth, gums, and teeth. Exposure over long periods of time or heavy exposure to mercury vapor can result in brain damage and ultimately death.

Some of the toxic effects of mercury are reversible, either through specific therapy or through natural elimination of the metal after exposure has been discontinued. Mental problems have been dicovered years after the initial exposure to the substance. Mercury attached brain cells, and can cause effects only when that paticular part of the brain is utilized.

Mercury is a heavy metal and like most heavy metal exposure it is difficult if not impossible to purge from the body after exposure. Also, like most toxic exposure the frequency of exposure and length of exposure are critical to determining how much (if any) permanent damage will occur. If you touched it just one time 30 years ago you're probably fine ... especially if you haven't had any symptoms up until now. I wouldn't obsess over it unless your exposure was greater than just one isolated incident ... and/or you presently have symptoms that could be associated with Mercury Poisoning.