Introduction to Mercury | General Information | Mercury in Households | Mercury in Schools
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INTRODUCTION TO MERCURY

Mercury, known as quicksilver, or Hg (for hydrargyrum, the Latin name for the element), is a heavy, silver, metallic liquid at room temperature. While it is a naturally occurring element that is present throughout the environment, its concentration in surface water bodies has increased in recent decades. For years, mercury was mined from the earth in the solid form as the ore cinnabar (HgS), and was converted to metallic mercury by roasting or heating it in the presence of air or lime. 

In the United States, coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of mercury emissions to the air. Today, mercury is sourced domestically from secondary suppliers, with over 400 tons being produced and sold back into the marketplace annually, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries (1997). The toxicity of mercury makes it necessary to keep it contained and controlled from releases and spills, but the properties of mercury make it useful worldwide, as evidenced by many different applications in hospitals, schools, laboratories, industry and the home.

This Web site is designed to offer general information on mercury to the citizens of North Carolina. Included are links to documents and Web sites containing general mercury information, information on mercury found in the home (including how to clean up a mercury spill), information on mercury found in schools, information on the health effects of mercury, mercury emissions, how to perform a mercury audit, and mercury reduction options. Some of the information on each different page included in this Web site may overlap, so you may want to check more than one if you are searching for specific information.

 

EFFECTS OF MERCURY ON HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Mercury is toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption with acute and chronic exposure effects including central nervous system and kidney damage. Acute exposure includes nausea, blurred vision, painful breathing, excessive salivation and pneumonitis, while chronic or longer- term exposure includes memory disturbance, hypertension, vision problems, hallucinations, tremors and personality changes. Because mercury can cross the blood-brain barrier, and because it can affect brain development, its effects are of special concern to pregnant or lactating women and young children. For this reason, many states, including North Carolina, as well as the U.S. EPA, have issued fish consumption advisories. Many of these advisories are directed towards pregnant or lactating women and young children, or are more strict for these populations, due to concerns over developmental disabilities in infants from mercury exposure.

Health Effects of Mercury
Health Risks and the Environment

Listed below are Web sites, manuals, articles and brochures on how mercury can effect your health and what it can do when it contaminates the environment. The links will appear in a new browser window.

 Health Effects of Mercury

Full Title: Mercury in Your House
Full Work Author: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (Waste Management Division) Pollution Prevention Program
Abstract: This Web site has information on the health effects that mercury has on human beings, how mercury effects the environment, a list of household products that contain mercury, and what to do with a mercury spill. It also has a hands-on section for kids to search through and gather information concerning mercury.

Full Title: Mercury-Containing Waste
Full Work Author: Florida Department of Waste Management
Abstract: This Web site provides a technical description of how mercury affects human health, offers many fact sheets on mercury-containing products, and has a kids section to teach them about mercury. The site also provides Florida’s regulations on mercury and what is being done to prevent contamination.

Full Title: Mercury Poisoning
Full Work Author: Florida Department of Waste Management
Abstract: This Web site has information on the effects mercury has on human health, how mercury gets into the environment, and the risks that exist from exposure to mercury.

Full Title: What are the Human Health Hazards Caused by Mercury?
Full Work Author: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Abstract: This fact sheet gives a brief description of the health effects of mercury and what symptoms to look for if there is a risk of exposure.

Full Title: Mercury Thermometers and Your Family’s Health 
Full Work Author: Center for Health, Environment and Justice
Abstract: This Web site gives information on health effects from mercury and stresses the importance of finding alternatives to the thermometers we use in our homes. The site offers  alternatives and suggests how to start a thermometer exchange program.

Full Title: Human Health Effects and Ecological Impacts of Mercury
Full Work Author: Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA)
Abstract: This site gives a brief overview of the ways that mercury poses a health risk.

Full Title: Toxicological Effects of Methylmercury
Full Work Author: Committee on the Toxicological Effects of Methylmercury, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, National Research Council
Abstract: This book outlines the effects of mercury in a certain form. The book is free to read online and contains information about methylmercury and why awareness is important.

 Health Risks and the Environment

Full Title: Mercury Reduction Options
Full Work Author: U.S. EPA
Abstract: This paper has information ranging from mercury reduction in energy production to reduction in schools and laboratories. It covers seven sections, and for each the paper goes over where the mercury sources are and what options are available for reduction.

Full Title: Toward The Virtual Elimination Of Mercury From The Solid Waste Stream
Full Work Author: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Abstract: This paper has information covering the fundamental facts on mercury, mercury-containing products, consumer products, manufacturer take-back programs, and legislation on mercury-containing products. Each category covers the feasibility of eliminating the mercury-containing products and offers reduction options.

Full Title: Developing a Comprehensive Mercury Reduction Strategy
Full Work Author: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Abstract: This fact sheet gives advice on how to start a mercury reduction program. The brochure discusses the consequences of not having this type of program and also discusses what has been done to reduce mercury contamination or mercury sources.