The damage mercury can cause is brought about by it’s tendency to accumulate in our bodies over time… also known as bioaccumulation.

SEA FOOD

Generally, fish are able to accumulate significant amounts of mercury in their bodies stored as methyl mercury.

Being the most toxic form, high levels of methyl mercury leads to a spectrum of health problems such as kidney failure, brain damage, immune system breakdown, respiratory problems etc.

Since mercury tends to accumulate in fish, apex predators such as sharks tend to have very high levels for obvious reasons.

Sea dwelling communities especially those which thrive on shark diet are therefore prone to mercury poisoning.

However, the greatest damage is done before a child is born.

FETAL EXPOSURE

Expectant mothers are more likely to endanger fetal mental development by consuming high amounts of seafood such as shark, swordfish and shellfish.

Infact, at the fetal stage, greatest damage can be done simply because of the dosage to weight ratio (toxin amount related to fetal weight).

Worse still, the toxin accumulates in the body over time increasing the likelihood of poisoning at a later stage.

It’s therefore important for expectant mothers to diversify their diet in this regard.

But mercury exposure could also take place in other ways:

COSMETICS

Since mercury is used as a skin lightener, it’s a key ingredient in creams and soaps sold especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests several ways prospective customers could flag out mercury containing cosmetics:

1. A number of them contain suspicious ingredients such as ‘calomel, quick silver, cinnabris or hydrargyrii’.

Some of these pseudo names were used to refer to mercury in the past.

In fact mercury’s chemical symbol is Hg (Hydrargyrum).

2. Some of them may be dispensed while advising the client to stay away from gold, jewelry or rubber.

This might be because mercury tends to combine with other metals to form amalgam.

3. Lastly, some of the mercury-laced creams might have a grayish or creamish color.

But besides cosmetics, mercury exposure could happen through a very common route.

FLUORESCENT BULBS

Some domestic fluorescent bulbs utilise mercury vapour which glows upon exposure to voltage.

Therefore poor disposal of used bulbs needs to follow laid down protocols by avoiding breakage.

Alternatively LED bulbs are not only gaining prominence because of their low power usage but also because they are relatively safer to use.

BURNING RUBBISH AND METAL SMELTING

Lastly, since mercury tends to be attracted to other metals/ substances, high temperatures processes release it in vapour form exposing surrounding communities.

This is what happens when rubbish is burnt indiscriminately or during metal smelting.

Also, increased burning of fossil fuels (petrol, diesel) generally releases a concoction of vapours in which mercury can’t be ruled out.

IN CONCLUSION

Mercury poisoning through environmental exposure could be managed by good practices such as diversifying diet, reduction of fossil fuel usage and good solid waste practices.

Keep mercury off our air, water, food and soils.