 Mercury's Effect on Health
- Mercury is a highly toxic substance that occurs in relatively high concentrations in the river and its wildlife.
- There are several known sources of this mercury contamination including two currently active sources (a chlor-alkali plant in Augusta (OLIN) and emissions from coal fired furnaces throughout the region) and two legacy sources (the textile industry and medical incinerators).
- The Riverkeeper is participating in a national study of the mercury contamination in fish and in a local study of the contribution of the Savannah River Site to heavy metal contamination in local wildlife.
- If you have any information that might be useful in the development of information about these issues, please contact the Riverkeeper (frankcarl@knology.net, 706-364-5253)
Mercury exposure in humans results primarily from eating fish that contain methylmercury.
- About 85% of adults in the United States consume fish and shellfish at least once a month
- 40% consume fish and shellfish weekly
- For high-end consumers, it is estimated that 87% of their exposure to mercury comes from eating seafood.
Mercury is primarily a neurotoxin, which means it attacks the central nervous system. Its effects are often subtle enough not to be recognized immediately, but more and more people are learning that their health problems could be due to mercury exposure. Nervous system problems can include impaired coordination, tremors, irritability, memory loss, depression, blurred vision and a tingling sensation in the skin. Other symptoms include fatigue, headache, decreased concentration and muscle or joint pain.
Adverse health effects from mercury in fish diets can range from subtle nervous system effects to more serious poisoning, depending on how much and how often fish is eaten and how much mercury is in the fish.
Mercury's Effect on Children
An EPA scientist estimated that one in six pregnant women has enough mercury in her blood to pose neurological risks to her developing baby. This means that hundreds of thousands of newborns each year in the United States may be exposed to enough mercury to hinder nervous system development.
Perhaps the greatest concern about mercury is its effect on the early development of the fetus and later effects on childhood development. Methylmercury can travel across the placenta from the mother to the fetus, meaning exposure to the dangerous poison often begins in the womb during a baby's most vulnerable developmental period. Children and fetuses are also harmed by lower concentrations of mercury than it takes to hurt adults.
- Mercury can cause irreversible impairment to brain function in children in the womb and as they grow.
- Infants and children exposed to toxic doses of mercury have problems with attention span, language, visual-spatial skills, memory and coordination.
- Very high exposure levels in children can lead to brain damage, mental retardation, blindness, seizures, and speech problems.
- Exposure also appears to weaken the heartbeat and the developing immune system.
Dangers of Mercury for Adults
Cardiovascular Disease
At least 12 scientific studies have linked mercury to cardiovascular disease including increased blood pressure, irregular and increased heart rate, and increased rates of death from heart attacks.
 Infertility
Mercury is among a group of chemicals that can cause infertility according to the National Research Council. It is believed that mercury exposure can lead to spontaneous abortions.
Kidney Damage and Cancer
Mercury causes kidney damage and is classified as a "Possible Human Carcinogen" by the EPA and IARC.
While there is inadequate information to draw a conclusion based on human studies, it has been shown to cause kidney tumors in male laboratory mice.
Other Resources for Mercury:
Oceana's full report on Poison Plants: Chlorine factories are a major global source of Mercury (.pdf file)
EPD's Mercury Emissions from Georgia Coal-fired Power Plants: A Case for Stringent Mercury Control (.pdf file)
SCDHED's fish advisories
Chlor - Alkali Mercury - Free Campaign
- The Savannah Riverkeeper has initiated a campaign to convince the Olin Corporation to switch from its mercury cell process to a mercury-free process for its chlor-alkali plant in Augusta.
- There is a petition on this website that you can print, fill out, and send to the Olin Corporation.
- Click here to see a full description
|
