Mercury poisoning from home gold ore processing. Use of penicillamine and dimercaprol

The production of a mercury amalgam in home gold ore processing has become a popular and widely used method. Six patients involved in two episodes were treated following onset of symptoms from inhalation of mercury vapor. Penicillamine was shown to be an effective chelator of mercury when coupled with a mobilization test to assess body burden. The danger associated with mercury use in this technique needs to be better communicated to the public.