Question
The baby accidentally ingested mercury and glass from a thermometer, and more than an hour has passed without any issues. The baby seems to be in good condition. I’ve tried giving them milk, egg white water, and mung bean water. I’m worried about the risk of life-threatening situations.
Answer
A thermometer typically contains about 5 grams of mercury, which is not enough to cause poisoning in the human body. Mercury itself is non-toxic; it only becomes toxic when it is hydrolyzed into mercury ions. When the swallowed mercury enters the gastrointestinal tract, it is quickly encapsulated by food, isolated from air, and even if it remains for a long time, it does not produce a large amount of mercury vapor, thus not causing poisoning. You can eat foods rich in fiber, such as chives, celery, and cabbage, to promote intestinal peristalsis and help expel it from the body. Wishing the baby a healthy recovery!