From the Iowa Department of Public Health
Alice In Wonderland’s Mad Hatter and Work-related Illness
What do Johnny Depp and Occupational Health and Safety have in common?
Depp’s portrayal of the “Mad Hatter” in the movie Alice in Wonderland was influenced by the symptoms and signs of mercury poisoning. British hat makers in the mid-1800’s often exhibited slurred speech, tremors, irritability, shyness, depression, and other neurological symptoms; hence the expression "mad as a hatter." The symptoms were associated with chronic occupational exposure to mercury. Hatters toiled in poorly ventilated rooms, using hot solutions of mercuric nitrate to shape wool felt hats.
The Iow department of Public Health reminds health providers to look for potential work-related health issues in their patients and their family members by including an occupational exposure history. And remember – mercury poisoning is a reportable condition in Iowa. Call 800-972-2026.
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TakeAway – Iowa’s Medication Disposal Program
Unused and expired medications can be properly disposed of at pharmacies across Iowa through TakeAway, Iowa’s medication disposal program. More than 330 pharmacies have TakeAway systems to collect unused medications.
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