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| 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.
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/
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