Mercury (element)

Occurrence in the environment

Preindustrial deposition rates of mercury from the atmosphere may be in the range of 4 ng/L in the western USA. Although that can be considered a natural level of exposure, regional or global sources have significant effects. Volcanic eruptions can increase the atmospheric source by 4–6 times. http://toxics.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-051-02/

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Mercury enters the environment as a pollutant from various industries:

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• coal-fired power plants are the largest source (40% of USA emissions in 1999, which have since declined by 85%). http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm#14
• industrial processes
• chlorine, steel, phosphate & gold production
• metal smelting
• manufacture & repair of weather and electronic devices
• incineration of municipal waste streams
• medical applications, including vaccinations
• dentistry
• cosmetic industries
• laboratory work involving mercury or sulfur compounds

Mercury also enters into the environment through the disposal (e.g., landfilling, incineration) of certain products. Products containing mercury include: auto parts, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, medical products, thermometers, and thermostats.http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/reduce/epr/products/mercury.htm Due to health concerns (see below), toxics use reduction efforts are cutting back or eliminating mercury in such products. For example, most thermometers now use pigmented alcohol instead of mercury. Mercury thermometers are still occasionally used in the medical field because they are more accurate than alcohol thermometers, though both are being replaced by electronic thermometers. Mercury thermometers are still widely used for certain scientific applications because of their greater accuracy and working range.

Related Topics:
Batteries - Toxics use reduction - Thermometer - Alcohol

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One of the worst industrial disasters in history was caused by the dumping of mercury compounds into Minamata Bay, Japan. The Chisso Corporation, a fertilizer and later petrochemical company, was found responsible for polluting the bay from 1932–1968. It is estimated that over 3,000 people suffered various deformities, severe mercury poisoning symptoms or death from what became known as Minamata disease.

Related Topics:
Industrial disasters - Minamata - Fertilizer - Minamata disease

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