An Introduction to Mercury

Public health is important and many effects of heavy metal pollution go unnoticed until serious side effects start to show. Oceana.org have been doing an increasing amount of research and awareness work on the effects of mercury in the oceans. The consumption of fish has been highlighted as the most dangerous source of mercury poisoning, especially from King Mackarel and sharks. The video below, from oceana.org on youtube.com entitled 'Mercury, Seafood and You', shows interviews with people that have experienced problems due to mercury from the consumption of fish.

As seen in the short film, mercury poisoning can effect our ability to have children, joint pains, fatigue, hair loss and our neurological health. The mercury collects in higher concentrations the further up the food chain it moves which means that by the time humans consume fish there is a dangerous level of mercury in the meat. It's interesting to see that many of the patients that suffered from mercury poisoning had no idea that the fish they were eating was the source. Fish is an important supplement to any balanced diet, as outlined by 'Mercury, seafood and you', fish contains vital nutrients, minerals and vitamins and is considered an integral part of our day to day eating habits across the world. It is a good example of how something we consider safe is actually having detrimental affects on our health and this is a common feature throughout the research into pollution and public health.

More recently, in 2006, the BBC reported on the European parliament's decision to ban the use of mercury in Europe. For the same reason's as outlined in 'Mercury, Seafood and You', mercury is said to cause a plethora of neurological disorders and has been used in Europe for centuries in barometers and thermometers. Though this will change with new legislation banning the use of such equipment should it contain mercury.  Some MEPs feel this is going to have a negligible effect on mercury in Europe with MEP Martin Callanan stating that "banning the repair and manufacture of barometers is disproportionate to the risks posed my mercury". It is a little known fact that Europe is the largest exporter of mercury, the global supply of mercury averages at around 3,600 tons per year, with Europe being responsible for a third of it. 

Mercury is a lethal metal and it is being found in ceasing quantities in our food supplies and our atmosphere yet there is little pubic awareness of the risks. Some think, such as Mr. Callanan, that it is not a risk we need to be worrying about, yet the Food standards agency were worried enough in 2003 to advise pregnant women to steer clear of tuna for fear of neurological development impairment of their unborn child. Are heavy metal pollutants something we need to be worrying about?

Introduction

Our lives are filled with images and information telling us that pollution has a profound effect on our environment. Our health is no exception and there is an increasing body of work proving that pollution, both in the past and the present, has been affecting our health. When we remove substances from th environment, whether it be food, water or building materials, we are increasing replacing these items with pollutants. Heavy metals have a close relationship with our consumption of the environment and research has shown that they have nasty way or resurfacing, mainly through health consequences.

This blog will explore the pollution of heavy metals, starting with the threat of mercury in our food chain through industry contamination of rivers and the oceans. The ancient world is also famous for its use of mercury and lead, as well as the Bronze and Iron Ages, all of which released considerable amounts of heavy metals which will have contributed to the health of these civilizations. Over the course of the blog I wish to look at the relationship between metal pollution and public health through time.