Delayed Use of Dimercaprol in Elemental Mercury Inhalation:Two Case Reports with Severe Pulmonary Injury

Year 2026, Volume: 7 Issue: 3, 69 - 72, 10.01.2026

Tufan Akın Giray , Ali Sağlık , Ayşegül Akçebe , Tarık Ocak

https://doi.org/10.51262/ejtox.1754672

Abstract

Mercury inhalation toxicity can cause severe lung damage and may be fatal without appropriate intervention. This article presents two patients who were exposed to elemental mercury during artisanal gold mining and developed shortness of breath with bilateral lung infiltrates. Both patients were administered intramuscular Dimercaprol with a delay. Despite the late intervention, both recovered without sequelae. These cases highlight the potential role of chelation therapy even in the late stage of mercury poisoning.

Keywords

Elemental mercury , Mercury poisoning , Inhalation injury , Dimercaprol , Chelation therapy

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