What is Mercury?
Mercury is one of the transition metals on the periodic chart. It is the only metal which is liquid at room temperature and is also known as “quicksilver”. Therefore its elemental symbol is Hg, coming from hydragyrum, a liquid silver. Mercury is mostly found in ores like livingstonite and calomel and is recovered by distillation. It was widely used for its ability to dissolve silver and gold.
Here's some more general facts about metals. . .
How does Mercury get into our Environment?
Mercury is one of the most commonly encountered toxins found in our environment. It is present in fertilizer, road building materials, batteries, thermometers, dental fillings, and vaccinations. Most common exposures result from:
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Who is at risk for Mercury exposure?
Mercury severely impairs the development in children. Children under six who have been exposed to mercury demonstrate damage to their brain, kidney, and lungs. Pregnant women must be very cautious regarding mercury exposure, as this toxin easily passes across the placenta and may harm the developing fetus.
What effects does Mercury have on Pregnancy?
Because Mercury readily passes from mother to child through the placenta, a developing fetus is easily affected. Once in the womb, mercury targets the developing fetal brain by killing brain cells, and causing the healthy ones to migrate to the wrong position. This can lead to learning disabilities such as ADD and Dyslexia in children.
Prevention for Mercury Exposure:
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Pregnant women are to avoid eating certain fish like shark, swordfish, king
mackerel, and tilefish. These large fish eat the smaller ones and more mercury
accumulates in their system.
- The FDA’s Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition is starting a program to educate pregnant women,
women of childbearing age, and their healthcare providers. The program informs
women of the potential risks that eating certain kinds of fish would have
on their unborn child.
- The EPA has implemented regulations
for industries that contribute to mercury pollution. These include federal
bans on mercury in paint and pesticides, and the reduction of mercury in batteries.