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What is
mercury?
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that can be found in air, water,
soil, and rocks. Mercury has historically served many useful purposes. It is
used in some types of dental amalgams, some blood pressure monitoring
devices, some batteries, fluorescent lamps, thermostats, barometers and
thermometers.
Is mercury
harmful?
Mercury can be harmful to humans if they are exposed to significant amounts
over a long enough period of time. The age of the individual, the health of
the individual, the type of exposure (eating breathing, injecting, or
touching) are also factors that can impact the effect of mercury on one's
health. Because mercury is so widespread in the environment, most people
have at least trace amounts in their bodies. The mercury in dental amalgams
poses no harm.
How does
mercury get into the environment?
Mercury vapors are released into the atmosphere by coal burning power
plants, during the burning of medical waste, and during chlorine production.
Mercury also enters the atmosphere as a result of volcanic eruptions. When
mercury falls from the air or runs off the ground into the water, certain
microorganisms in soils and sediments convert it into methylmercury, a toxic
from of mercury that is readily absorbed through the small intestines. Small
organisms take up methylmercury as they feed. When animals higher up the
food chain eat the smaller ones they also take in the methylmercury. As a
result nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of methylmercury.
However, larger predator fish that have lived longer have the highest levels
of methylmercury because they've had more time to accumulate it. These fish
include swordfish, sharks, tilefish, and king mackerel.
Is there a risk
from mercury by eating fish and shellfish?
For most people, the risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a
health concern. In fact, the many nutritional benefits of fish and shellfish
make them an important part of a healthy diet for all individuals,
especially expecting and new mothers and young children. Still, some fish
and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby
or young child's developing nervous system.
In 2004 FDA and EPA jointly published an advisory on mercury in seafood,
that, if followed, should keep an individual's mercury consumption below
levels that have been shown to cause harm. By adhering to this advisory,
parents can be confident of reducing their unborn or young child's exposure
to the harmful effects of mercury, while at the same time maintaining a
healthy diet that includes the nutritional benefits of fish and shellfish.
This advisory is intended for women who may become pregnant, pregnant
mothers, nursing mothers, and young children.
For more
information...
For further information about mercury and public health, check the following
federal government web sites:
Mercury in
Seafood
State and
Local Fish Advisories
Mercury in
Consumer Products (including batteries, dental amalgam, fluorescent lamps,
jewelry, paint, thermometers and thermostats)
Mercury in
Medical Products
Vaccines
Dental Amalgams
Parents and Mercury
Schools and Mercury
Ritual Use of Mercury
Health
Effects of Mercury
Cleaning Up Mercury Spills
Frequently
Asked Questions About Mercury
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