Metal-flavored: Muscovites suspected of mercury poisoning after eating pies

Two people in Moscow allegedly got mercury poisoning after eating pies bought at a bakery near the Nakhimovsky Prospekt metro station. They found metal balls in the package and called an ambulance themselves. After the incident in the bakery conducted an epidemiological investigation - there found gross violations, and the Investigative Committee began a check. Details of the incident found out "Izvestia".

Pies with metal balls

In Moscow, two people allegedly poisoned by pies with mercury. This was reported in the capital's Department of health care.

Two men sought help after eating puffs bought in a bakery near the subway. Having taken a bite of the pies, they noticed metal balls in the filling, similar to mercury. After that, the men called an ambulance, and the medics rushed them to the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute.

- They immediately carried out detoxification therapy, intestinal lavage - a complete lavage of the gastrointestinal tract. The condition of patients is stable, - said anesthesiologist-reanimatologist, toxicologist Dmitry Sokolov.

The mother of one of the victims told Izvestia that her son, together with a friend after work went to have dinner in a cafe and then went to the hospital. Now his phone is unavailable - the patient continues to remain in the intensive care unit under the supervision of doctors. His life, as well as the life of the other man, is not threatened.

The bakery was closed for the inspection

Pies, which allegedly contained mercury, were sold in a bakery on Simferopol Boulevard. It is closed and sealed for the time of epidemiological investigation, said in the department of Rospotrebnadzor in Moscow.

Employees of the department have already conducted an inspection of the organization with sampling of products and raw materials for laboratory tests, including on the content of heavy metals. According to the Telegram channel SHOT, no traces of mercury were found in the bakery, but this information was not officially confirmed by Rospotrebnadzor to Izvestia.

But in the bakery found several violations of sanitary legislation - for example, there were no supporting documents confirming safety and ensuring traceability of raw materials used.

- In addition, the technological processes of manufacturing of finished food products were not observed, it is possible that foreign objects and particles got into the products, - noted in Rospotrebnadzor.

Meanwhile, the employees of the bakery adhere to another version: in a conversation with Izvestia, they said that competitors may be involved in the incident. The institution is well regarded by customers - on online maps it has a solid "five", a lot of good reviews. At the same time, there are several other bakeries around, but with a lower rating.

The version that mercury could get into the finished product, does not exclude biochemist Alexander Khodos.

- Most likely, it happened at some point in the technological process, either at the manufacturer of raw materials for food production, or at the food production itself, technologists used mercury thermometers. But there is one important and most suspicious point: if heated above 18 degrees, the mercury would simply evaporate from the product - and then it would have poisoned those who cooked the food," the expert tells Izvestia.

The Investigative Committee has launched a check

Atthe same time, the Investigative Committee is also conducting a check. A report on its progress has already been requested by the chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Alexander Bastrykin, according to the agency's Telegram channel.

- The progress of execution of the order has been put under control in the central office," the report says.

The question of how exactly the mercury-like balls got into the baked goods remains open, but it is already obvious that the most serious legal consequences are possible, lawyer Sean Betrozov said in a conversation with Izvestia. If a potentially dangerous substance ended up in the pies due to the negligence of the bakery's employees, we are talking about violation of sanitary norms and, possibly, criminal negligence. In such a case, there may be liability under Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - production or sale of goods that do not meet safety requirements.

According to this article, the manufacture and sale of products that threaten the life and health of consumers may be punishable by large fines, correctional or compulsory labor or imprisonment for up to six years.

- Investigating authorities should find out how the foreign substance got into the products: whether it was an accident, violation of sanitary norms or someone's deliberate action. Then the situation will acquire a completely different legal qualification, for example, under Articles 111 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (intentional infliction of serious harm to health), 234 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal trafficking of mercury) and even 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (terrorist act), if the incident is considered as an attempt of mass poisoning, - Betrozov notes.

In any case, he emphasizes, investigators must establish who exactly could have planted the toxic substance, whether he had motives, whether he had access to the production or to already finished products. Possible scenarios include the actions of a disgruntled employee, competitive rivalry, someone else's malicious intent, or even the accidental introduction of the substance into raw materials.

- If mercury is suspected to have gotten into the patties after they were purchased, for example, if someone intentionally added the substance, the investigation will look at the actions of a specific person. In such a case, articles on hooliganism, intentional infliction of harm or even attempted murder may apply, depending on the consequences," the Izvestia expert said.

Victims may receive compensation

In the event that the buyers were injured precisely through the fault of the bakery's employees, they can receive compensation, says lawyer Betrozov. Then it is important for Muscovites to correctly record all the circumstances, get the necessary medical documents.

- Then it is necessary to contact law enforcement agencies and Rospotrebnadzor, so that the incident was officially documented. Any evidence - receipts, packaging, samples of pies - can become key in the investigation. In the future, victims can expect compensation for health and moral damage by filing a lawsuit against the guilty party - be it the manufacturer, seller or a specific person involved in the poisoning," the lawyer explains.

According to him, thecompensation may include reimbursement of treatment costs, compensation for moral harm, as well as possible damages related to loss of working capacity. Depending on the degree of harm caused, compensation can amount to significant sums, especially if the fault of the manufacturer or seller is proven.

- Bakeries and stores should have a strict quality control system in place, including video surveillance, regular inspections of raw materials and finished products, and supervision of employees. In case of even a minimal suspicion of contamination of products with dangerous substances, production should be immediately stopped and all potentially contaminated batches seized, which was done by Rospotrebnadzor employees," concludes the Izvestia interlocutor.

What is the danger of mercury poisoning

Mercury is a very toxic substance that is dangerous for humans in any form, explains Vera Serezhina, a medical expert of the medical company LabQuest. Most often poisoning occurs when inhaling its vapors, for example, in the home or at harmful industries. But if mercury gets inside, especially with food, for example, with seafood, which can accumulate it, or if the substance accidentally appears in cooked food, the symptoms of poisoning appear faster and more pronounced.

- On average, the first signs appear within 8-24 hours after ingestion of mercury, but much depends on the dose. First of all, the mucous membranes react - the tongue becomes bright red, there is a metallic taste in the mouth, salivation begins. Then there is nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, liquid stools. Since mercury quickly penetrates into the blood, symptoms of general intoxication - severe weakness, headache. These symptoms, of course, are not specific only for mercury poisoning, but here is a metallic taste - one of the characteristic signs that should be alert, - says Serezhina.

Further, when mercury with the bloodstream gets into the liver, kidneys, brain, there may be damage to these organs. From the nervous system may be confusion. If poisoning is chronic, more severe neurological symptoms may appear over time.

- On the part of the respiratory system - shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, sometimes the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above, which can lead to a diagnostic error: such manifestations can be mistaken for an infection, - says the expert.

According to her, if a person is not given help in time, in severe cases, death within a few days is possible. Mercury can be removed from the stomach and intestines quite easily - by rinsing, taking sorbents like activated charcoal. But if the metal has already penetrated into the blood and organ tissues, it is extremely difficult to remove it, and intoxication becomes more dangerous.

It is possible to diagnose mercury poisoning by blood and urine tests using the HLC method - this is high-performance liquid chromatography, which allows you to accurately determine the concentration of mercury. However, this test is only informative in the first 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Analysis of mercury in hair and nails will not work in this case - it shows chronic accumulation, not an acute situation.

- If mercury poisoning is suspected, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of avoiding serious consequences, " the expert concludes.

In domestic situations, when, for example, a thermometer has broken, it is enough to clean, wipe the floor with a product containing chlorine and ventilate the room. Contaminated surface can not be vacuumed - mercury can fly in small particles and remain in the fibers, says therapist "Teledoctor 24" Maria Menshikova. Collected balls should be handed over to specialized services for disposal.