Effect of mercury on the human health and environment: an overview
by Ahmad Khatoon-Abadi, A.R. Sheikh Hoseini, B. Khalili
International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health (IJFSNPH), Vol. 1, No. 1, 2008

Abstract: This article aims to review and to demonstrate the effect of mercury on the human health and environment. Mercury is one of the 12 toxic pollutants identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency and can be toxic at low levels in the environment. Mercury can stay in the atmosphere for up to a year. When released to the air, mercury is transported and deposited globally. Mercury ultimately accumulates in lake's bottom sediments, where it is transformed into its more toxic organic form, methyl mercury, which accumulates in fish tissue. Mercury is expected to have serious risks for human health, because it bio accumulates and persists in the environment. There are several ways to expose to mercury, such as breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water, consuming contaminated fishes, touching polluted subjects in home and job medias and other ways. Acute and chronic exposures have different effects on the human health. The polluting effect of mercury on the environment and human as a result of agricultural, medical, dental and industrial operations, is the main concern of this paper. Multiple sclerosis is a condition of the central nervous system that usually starts in early adult life. Mercury pollution must be considered globally but controlled locally. The polluting effect of mercury on the environment and humans as a result of agricultural, medical, dental, and industrial operations, is the main concern of this paper.

Online publication date: Thu, 19-Jun-2008

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