Write a paper discussing the danger of Natural Sciences.Toxicity of Mercury Mercury (Hg) is a silvery, shiny element that is liquid at room temperature. Mercury can enter the body through inhaled mercury vapor, contact with the skin, or ingestion of foods or water contaminated with mercury. In the body, mercury destroys proteins and disrupts cell function. Long-term exposure to mercury can damage the brain and kidneys, cause mental delays, and decrease physical development. Blood, urine, and hair samples are used to test for mercury. In both freshwater and seawater, bacterial convert mercury into toxic methylmercury, which attacks the central nervous system. Because fish absorb methylmercury, we are exposed to mercury by consuming mercury-containing fish. As levels of mercury ingested from fish became a concern, the Food and Drug Administration set a maximum level of one part mercury per million parts seafood, which is the same as 1 mg mercury in every kilogram of seafood. Fish higher in the food chain, such as swordfish and shark, can have such high levels of mercury that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends they be consumed no more than once a week. One of the worst incidents of mercury poisoning occurred in Minamata and Niigata Japan in 1965. At that time, the ocean was polluted with high levels of mercury from industrial wastes. Because fish were a major food in the diet, more than 2000 people were affected with mercury poisoning and died or developed neural damage. In the United States between 1988 and 1997, the use of mercury decreased by 75% when the use of mercury was banned in paint and pesticides and regulated in batteries and other products. Certain batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) contain mercury, and instructions for their safe disposal should be followed. Questions for Discussion: • Discuss the toxicity of mercury, in general. HOW toxic is it? Is there a fatal dosage? Is there a recommended limit that people should stay below? • Is mercury harmful to touch? Or only to ingest? Can it be absorbed through the skin? • Scientists are aware that mercury as a heavy metal element is harmful to the human body. So why, and how, is it still getting into our bodies? • Are all compounds containing mercury harmful? The article describes effects of the compound methylmercury as particularly harmful. But, what about ethylmercury? Is this equally harmful? What evidence is there supporting or refuting this claim? What about other compounds? • Why is it important for average citizens to understand the toxicity of mercury and compounds containing mercury?
