what mercury is put in, and where it is in your home
Liquid Mercury
The heavy metal mercury is found in a lot of appliances and products we have in our homes. Mercury can be found in make-up, lightbulbs, heating & ventilation equipment, freezers, dyes, and of course electronics. Though not used as much as it used to be, mercury is still used in the batteries, backlight of LCD screens, switches, and printed circuit boards of personal computers.
When people across the world burn your e-waste, the mercury in the computers is released into the air. The mercury first directly impacts the environment, then its does damage to humans.
When people across the world burn your e-waste, the mercury in the computers is released into the air. The mercury first directly impacts the environment, then its does damage to humans.
mercury's harm to the environment
Once the mercury has been released into the air, it can contaminate the air and also water in surrounding regions. An important factor in the impacts of mercury to the environment is its
ability to build up in organisms up the food chain. Although all forms of mercury can accumulate to some degree, methylmercury is absorbed and accumulates to a greater extent than other forms of the element. Fish appear to keep methylmercury stronger than other animals. As the mercury builds up in the food chain, it affects everything and the animals we eat. It specifically affects the nervous systems, kidneys, and developing fetus's and eggs the most in animals. Rising water levels associated with global climate change may also be for the methylmercury and its accumulation in fish. For example, there are indications of increased amounts of methylmercury in small, warm lakes and in many newly flooded areas/
ability to build up in organisms up the food chain. Although all forms of mercury can accumulate to some degree, methylmercury is absorbed and accumulates to a greater extent than other forms of the element. Fish appear to keep methylmercury stronger than other animals. As the mercury builds up in the food chain, it affects everything and the animals we eat. It specifically affects the nervous systems, kidneys, and developing fetus's and eggs the most in animals. Rising water levels associated with global climate change may also be for the methylmercury and its accumulation in fish. For example, there are indications of increased amounts of methylmercury in small, warm lakes and in many newly flooded areas/
mercury's Harm to humans
Minor health effects from exposure to mercury and other heavy metals
Mercury is a powerful toxic poison and is most harmful to humans when inhaled as mercury vapor or ingested as methylmercury through eating contaminated fish. Exposure to mercury can come with many side-effects, from minor to severe. Elemental mercury and all of its compounds are toxic, exposure to excessive levels can permanently damage or fatally injure the brain and kidneys. Mercury can also be absorbed through the skin and cause allergic reactions. Ingestion of the element can cause severe intestinal damage. Organic compounds of mercury (methyl mercury) are considered the most toxic forms of the element. Exposures to very small amounts of these compounds can result in very severe neurological damage and even death. For fetuses, infants and children, the health effects of mercury are on neurological development. Low levels of mercury exposure from a mother's diet can affect the brain and nervous system of the fetus. Impacts on memory, attention, language and other skills have been found in children exposed to moderate levels of the element.
What is currently being done
Scientists in North America are currently finding mercury subsitutes to use in home appliances as well as electronics. Better waste management systems are also being proposed. In Sweden, the only acceptable disposal of mercury waste now consists of "final
storage" of the treated waste deep underground, although some technical parts to this method are yet to be finished and other countries are questioning this method.
storage" of the treated waste deep underground, although some technical parts to this method are yet to be finished and other countries are questioning this method.