Mercury Exposure in Goldsmithing: Unveiling Occupational Hazards

Mercury poisoning in the workplace has long been recognized as an occupational disease for several decades. Elemental (or metallic) mercury can cause intoxication, mainly through inhalation, affecting workers in mining operations and goldsmiths engaged in gold recovery processes. We present the case of a professional goldsmith, a smoker with a history of narcolepsy and catalepsy. He experienced an occupational accident resulting in respiratory and mucocutaneous symptoms. The confirmation of the diagnosis by mercury measurements on the blood/urine prompted the start of chelation treatment, which led to favorable progression with symptom resolution. This case underscores the importance of public awareness to prevent mercury poisoning and emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to promptly recognize such occupational health risks.