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| Home > Issues & Actions: Air Quality - Mercury |
MERCURY IN FISH
Methylmercury, the organic form of Mercury, bioaccumulates in the tissues of fish. Larger and older fish usually have the highest concentrations. Fish-eating mammals, such as beavers and otters, can develop nervous system problems or even die after eating fish contaminated with methylmercury. Fish-eating birds have been found to develop both nervous and reproductive system problems. The Center for Disease control estimated in 2001 that 10% women have enough mercury in their blood that it would pose a threat to a developing fetus. The legal restrictions for mercury levels in fish are 1 ppm, which is still very high, therefore the FDA recommends that pregnant and nursing women avoid certain types of fish, and eat no more than an average of 12 ounces of fish per week.
Image depicts bioaccumulation
of mercury in fish
HUMAN HEALTH AND MERCURY
The information below is abbreviated; the effects and means of exposure to mercury are broader in scope. See the resources at the end of this pamphlet for more information.
• Short-term (acute) effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increase in blood pressure or heart rate, skin rashes, eye irritation, lung damage, kidney damage.
• Long-term (chronic) effects include kidney damage, brain damage, harm to a developing fetuses. Neurological damage includes irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems. In children, mercury can affect development including attention span, motor skills, speaking skills, and coordination skills.
• Exposure to mercury occurs via breathing vapors in the air, eating contaminated fish, touching residues, and drinking contaminated water.
• Who is most at risk. Young children, elderly, those who eat a large quantity of commercial or self-caught fish.
MERCURY IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Mercury enters the environment through many mediums, but the largest contributors of mercury are coal-fired power plants, and solid waste incinerators.
• Air: smokestacks of coal-fired power plants, boilers, kilns, steel mills, medical waste incinerators, municipal solid waste incinerators, vapors from spills or damaged products containing mercury.
• Water: Ash from smokestacks, landfill leaching, agricultural runoff, waste in lakes and rivers, waste from mines, spills in water.
• Land: Disposal of products containing mercury, leachate from landfills, waste from mines, pesticides, fertilizers, spills on land, old paints.
REDUCING MERCURY IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Federal Guidelines
The EPA restricts mercury to 2 ppb in drinking water, and the FDA restricts mercury to 1ppm in seafood. With these restrictions, a teaspoon of mercury can contaminate a 20 acre lake for one year. Compare this with the fact that coal fired plants in the US emit 68,000 pounds of Mercury annually.
Current National Legislation
In December of 2000, the EPA determined mercury air emissions from power plants posed significant hazards to public health. The Agency will propose regulations by 2003 and issue final rules by 2004. In July 2002, the Clear Skies Act of 2002 was proposed. The act amends Title IV of the CAA and requires new cap-and-trade programs for electric generating facilities. The act cuts mercury emissions by 69%, cutting emissions from 48 tons to 26 tons by 2010, and to 15 tons by 2018. While law makers are optimistic about the Clean Skies Act, critics argue that it has actually undercut the Clean Air Act, and slowed progress.
Current State Legislation
Approximately 11 states have legislation banning or restricting the sale of certain products containing mercury, requiring labeling and reduction of emissions from consumer goods, and regulating disposal of products that containing mercury. Missouri has no specific legislation to deal with Mercury, although DNR monitors levels in the environment. Missouri currently has a state wide advisory for mercury contamination in fish.
What Else Can Be Done
Technology and changes in energy policy, including using alternative energy sources, can reduce emissions from coal fired plants. All non-essential mercury usages and products could be permanently taken out of commerce. Manufacturers should be required to label products that contain mercury. Stricter regulations on proper disposal would reduce contamination through improper disposal.
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