Rachel Carson responsible for the death of millions of Africans

Rachel Carson wrote a book called "Silent Spring", this book contained misrepresentations about the pesticide DDT. The government bought into her claims of DDT and many people died due to it. DDT is used to fight malaria, and if exposed to DDT can have harmful effects. Research has found that DDT can cause a significant decrease in mental and physical functioning among young children and problems increase with more exposure (Swartz, 2007). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that DDT is a human carcinogen (Swartz, 2007).

This issue is huge and from my readings of Rachel Carson she was an important icon. In my opinion the government should have had a more intelligent response to the book that Rachel Carson wrote. You can't always believe what you read. Rachel Carson should have had a more direct approach to the information she wrote about and should have been more sincere.

Fair Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (2007, September/October) RE: Rachel Carson, Mass Murderer? 
[Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3186

Global Enviornmental Health: Mercury, Now a Toxic Element

Global Enviornmental Health: Mercury, Now a Toxic Element

Mercury, Now a Toxic Element



Adapted from periodictable.com



Mercury is known as a chemical element. Symbol is Hg and atomic number 80 in the periodic table. 

Mercury is also known as the quicksilver and/or hydrargyrum. The word hydrargyrum is from greek language "hydro", meaning water, and "argyrum" meaning silver. Mercury is the only known metal  in liquid form at room temperature and standard pressure.

65% of mercury released into the environment is from coal-fired power plants, 40% of mercury emissions were measured within the United States  in 1999.

3.0% of mercury emissions contaminates and settles in waterways.

Fish that live in contaminated water accumulate mercury and in the higherst concentration of mercury is then converted to methylmercury, and is the most toxic form of mercury. Mercury that is consumed can have both chronic and acute symptoms such as, depression, fatigue, irritability, loss of memory, and vivid dreams.

Methylmercury poisoning can occur through exposure to water contaminated by mercury, inhaling mercury vapor, and as already mentioned through eating fish contaminated with high levels of mercury.

Methylmercury is said to be fat soluable and forms mostly around the viseral and muscle tissue areas. When large fish such as, albacore tuna, king mackerek, shark, swordfish, and tilefish consume smaller fish, a process known as bioaccumulation occurs. The toxic methylmercuy found in the small fish has now become ten times as poisonous.

Although, low amounts of mercury can still be found among areas not under study, a process known as  biomagnification can result and have a  toxic effect on consumers at the top of the aquatic food chain.

Treatment of methylmercury poisoning is currently under research however, there are five different pharmocological treatments to aid in the secreation of mercury.

Currently, the World Health Organization, OSHA, NIOSH and the Environmental Protection Agency regualte any use of the toxic mercury, and mercury should only be handled with adequate protective suites.

USGS Science for a Changing Wrold (October, 2000). Mercury in the Environment. Retrieved from http://www.usgs.gov/themes/factsheet/146-00/