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Mercury
| Mercury is a
heavy metal that is used in the manufacture of many consumer goods and is
found naturally in small amounts in oceans, rocks, and soils. Large
amounts of mercury also become airborne through manmade processes such as
burning coal, oil, wood, or natural gas as fuel, incinerating
mercury-containing garbage, and through industrial production processes
that utilize mercury. Once in the air, mercury can fall to the ground with
rain and snow, contaminating soils and water bodies.
Once mercury is released into the environment it can change to methyl mercury, a highly toxic compound. Methyl mercury is easily taken up in living tissue and bioaccumulates (builds up) over time, causing serious health effects such as neurological and reproductive disorders in humans and wildlife. Since mercury does not break down in the environment, it has become a significant health threat to humans and wildlife. |