Download - Mercury in the Water A Global Problem
Mercury in the Water A Global Problem What is Mercury? A liquid
element. A potent neurotoxin How do you Get exposed to Hg?
Inhaling vaporized elemental Hg Eating fish contaminated with
methyl mercury (CH3Hg). Absorbed in tissues of fish, birds and
people.
What is Methyl Mercury? Highly toxic form. Absorbed in tissues of
fish, birds and people. Hg is Fat Soluble: stored in fat; remains
in body for a long time. Where is Hg in Your Home? What are the
Natural Sources of Hg?
Ocean Volatization What are Human Sources of Hg?
Waste Incineration Electric arc furnaces (Recyling) How does Hg Get
Into the H2O?
Hg travels for miles in air rain deposits it on land/ocean.
Bacteria take Hg+2 to methyl mercury (CH3Hg). What is
Biomagnification/ Bioaccumulation?
Increase in concentration of fat soluble chems in orgs at higher
levels of the food chain/web. Bioaccumulation Video Clip Whos at
Risk? What Type of Fish Have A Lot of Hg?
At Risk What Type of Fish Have A Lot of Hg? Swordfish Shark King
Mackerel What Does Hg Do to Your Body?
Dyslexia, Impotence/ menstrual probs How do We Reduce Exposure to
Hg?
Lower amount of emissions of Hg from coal burning plants. Tax each
unit of Hg emitted by coal burning plants and incinerators.
Prevention Remove Hg from coal before it is burned physical density
separation (coal washing). Convert coal to a liquid or gaseous fuel
(coal gasification). Phase out coal burning natural gas,
hydroelectricity Phase out incinerators Phase out use of Hg in
electrical switches. Ban use of Hg in dry cell batteries. Requires
cautionary labels on household products
What is FHSA? Requires cautionary labels on household products
Polychlorinated biphenyls Insoluble in water, soluble in
fats..
PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyls Insoluble in water, soluble in
fats.. Used as a dielectric field in transformers and capacitors.
Bioaccumulates, just like Hg or Pb
Small penises anyone? Gastric disorders, liver and kidney damage,
birth defects, skin lesions. Lead Heavy metal used in old pipes,
leaded gas, and old paint. Lead Neurotoxin that causes learning and
behavioral disorders
Acute vs chronic poisoning Symptoms: loss of apetite, lethargy,
memory loss, insomnia, hearing loss dense metaphyseal bands on
distal femurs,proximal tibias and proximal fibulas