Worried About Mercury?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

The liquid metal mercury can be found in tiny amounts within the environment around us. It’s used in some types of light bulbs and in thermometers. It also occurs in dental amalgam fillings and can be found in fish – particularly shark, swordfish, marlin and tuna.

 

Although mercury is poisonous, most medical experts agree that the small amounts of mercury present in these everyday items aren’t high enough to cause mercury poisoning. However if you have broken a light bulb or thermometer you should take care whilst cleaning up the mercury by wearing gloves and old clothes which you can throw away afterwards. It’s also important to leave the room to ventilate for at least 24 hours. If you have spilled a larger amount of mercury, or are worried about cleaning up mercury, your local council will be able to offer advice.

 

When it comes to dental fillings some people have opted to have their amalgam fillings removed. However some dentists have pointed out that removing an amalgam filling can expose the patient to more mercury vapours during the removal process than just leaving it in place. When receiving a new filling, many dentists now give their patients the choice between an amalgam filling and a composite resin filling.

 

When it comes to eating fish, the Food Standards Agency recommends that you should limit shark, swordfish or marlin to one portion each week and that pregnant women should avoid these fish completely. In addition pregnant women are advised not to eat more than two fresh tuna steaks or four medium-sized cans of tuna each week.

 

For more information about mercury in fish, visit: www.food.gov.uk

 

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Categories: amalgam, amalgam filling, amalgam fillings, Filling, Fish, mercury, nbsp, Pregnant Women, shark swordfish

Mercury Reduction Treaty Fails to Address Threat to Wildlife

Environmental wellness was on the agenda this month as delegates from over 140 countries gathered in Geneva to finalise the first international treaty to reduce emissions of mercury. Four years in the works, the aims to protect human wellbeing from this very serious neurotoxin, but those involved in the treaty process have pointed out that the harm that mercury inflicts on wildlife was barely considered during the long deliberations.

 

According to David Evers, chief scientist at the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), who serves on a scientific committee informing the process, mercury may not kill many animals outright, but it does put a deep dent in the reproduction process. ‘It is a bit of a silent threat,’ he says. ‘You have to kind of add up what was lost through studies and demographic models.’ All kinds of animals have demonstrated harmful levels of mercury, from fish and birds in the Florida Everglades to polar bears roaming far from any sources of pollution. Biologists have tracked mercury’s footprints in unexpected habitats and species, illuminating the subtle effects of chronic exposure and showing that ever-lower levels cause harm.

 

We release mercury into water bodies or the atmosphere through coal burning, gold mining, and other human activities. A BRI report released just before the Geneva negotiations showed that there are 14 countries in which mercury levels regularly exceed US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. True, in Europe and North America mercury emissions are on the decline, but treaty coordinator United Nations Environment Programme assert that they are rising quickly in the developing world. With the new treaty, the production, import, and export of certain mercury-containing products will be banned, meaning that governments will need to create plans to reduce mercury in small gold mining operations, and puts some controls on industrial facilities.

 

However, some environmental groups have asserted that the requirements of the treaty are too weak. Evers notes, ‘In the end the treaty will reduce mercury that’s being released into the environment. And I think the question will be, as we move along, “Is it enough?” — especially for areas that are sensitive to mercury input. And then “Is it enough for wildlife conservation purposes?” which really wasn’t addressed all that well.’ One country that’s going further to prevent and reduce mercury emissions is the US, which has already implemented a ban on the export of elemental mercury. Moreover, the EPA is finalising new limits on coal plant emissions.

 

Still, is this enough to safeguard animals from mercury exposure? While much of the research is concentrated on how fish have been affected by mercury, Bill Hopkins, a Virginia Tech physiological ecologist, and other have recently uncovered mercury in reptiles, amphibians, insects, spiders, terrestrial songbirds, and a wider variety of mammals than expected. ‘All these different groups can be exposed to mercury and pass it on to their babies,’ he says. Even low doses can cause problems that aren’t always obvious, says Gary Heinz, a recently retired federal wildlife biologist who studied it over four decades. He argues, ‘Methylmercury is one of most toxic environmental pollutants we’ve ever come upon.’

 

Still, Evers points out that, weaknesses aside, the new treaty represents a ‘great step forward.’ The good news is that once local sources are controlled, there could be a quick drop in the mercury in nearby wildlife. However, the fact remains that mercury from coal burning can travel great distances — for instance, from China to North America — before settling. Therefore, Evers concludes that the future of wildlife and mercury exposure is cloudy, to say the least. ‘The more we look [for mercury exposure in wildlife] the more we find, and the more we find the lower that toxicity level is going. Right now at a global level, mercury is just being released more and more in the system. Those trend lines are going in the wrong directions.’

Categories: coal burning, gold mining, mercury, mercury emissions, mercury exposure, north america, reduce mercury, Treaty, wildlife

Why Are You In Danger By Eating Fish During Pregnancy?

Being pregnant is a wonderful time, but it comes with a fair amount of rules and regulations in order to stay healthy. One of these rules is that you need to avoid fish during your pregnancy, as it can affect the baby’s development. Seafood is a great source of protein, zinc and iron, which are all vital for both your own and your baby’s health. As well as this, seafood contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids which keep the brain and joints healthy. So, with this in mind, why are women told to avoid these healthy ingredients? Some types of seafood contain high levels of mercury – this is especially the case with larger fish such as shark, king mackerel and swordfish. In adults, mercury isn’t a concern, but in infants it requires a certain level of caution. Regular consumption of fish that’s high in mercury can mean that a buildup of mercury in the bloodstream, which over time can damage the baby’s brain and nervous system development.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise that pregnant women can eat up to 12 ounces of seafood a week and still remain healthy. Not all researchers agree with these limits, stating that eating more than this amount won’t affect your baby’s health. However, it is best to discuss this with your GP before eating any more. There are, of course, some species of fish which are low in mercury and therefore still healthy additions to your diet. These include salmon, herring, anchovies, sardines, trout, and Atlantic and Pacific mackerel. Other choices which are fine to eat when you’re pregnant include canned light tuna, catfish, pollock and shrimp. You shouldn’t eat more than six ounces of tuna steak each week though. The main rules to stick to are to avoid large predatory fish, as these tend to have higher levels of mercury. You should also avoid eating uncooked fish and shellfish, as this could lead to you ingesting bacteria and viruses – this means sushi and sashimi is off the menu, along with smoked fish.  If you’re cooking fish at home, make sure that you cook it through properly – fish is generally done when it separates easily into flakes and appears opaque throughout. Shrimp, lobster and scallops turn a milky white colour when they are cooked, and mussels and oysters’ shells will open when they’re cooked. If any shellfish shells don’t open, throw them away – it means they are not fresh and could have bacteria in them.

Of course, if you don’t want to take the risk, there are other ways to get your omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds, walnuts, pine nuts and soybeans are all great sources of omega-3s. You can also buy fortified foods, such as milk, eggs and yoghurt. Supplements are the best way to ensure you get a healthy dose every day, but check with your GP before you begin taking them to ensure that it is safe for both you and your baby. It’s important to remember that researchers still haven’t determined whether omega-3s sourced from plants can actually impact your baby’s brain development, which is why seafood is often considered the best source. Although mercury can damage your baby’s brain development, eating an average amount of healthier sources can keep you healthy and has been shown to cause minimal problems. The best thing to remember is that balance is key, so speak to your GP about how to keep your diet as healthy as possible for the both of you.

Categories: Baby, brain development, fatty acids, Fish, Healthy, mercury, omega 3s, Omega-3, pregnancy, Seafood

Three-Prong Attack: The Different Kinds of Mercury Exposure

Mercury is released naturally from rocks, soil and volcanoes, so you may not consider it to be much of a wellness issue – how can something natural be damaging to your wellbeing? Unfortunately, human activities have supercharged the level of mercury in the atmosphere, and it’s more than environmental wellness that’s suffering. Many sources expose you to mercury, including your food, and this is a major health concern.

 

Mercury exists in three different forms. There’s elemental mercury, which is a shiny, silver volatile liquid that, when at room temperature, emits a colourless, odourless vapour. Then you have inorganic mercury, which occurs when elemental mercury combines with other elements like sulphur, chlorine or oxygen. This creates compounds known as mercury salts. Finally, there’s organic mercury which consists of compounds, including methyl mercury, that form when elemental mercury combines with carbon. This is the most toxic form of mercury, but none of the varieties break down in the environment, which means all forms can build up in your system. In fact, you still have to be wary of elemental mercury, as the vapour can be carried long distances on wind currents and stay in the atmosphere for long periods of time.

 

It’s important to know the different forms of mercury because each variety will have a different impact on your health. There are other factors involved, such as the level of exposure and how you are exposed (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact), but you should try to reduce your exposure to all forms of mercury whenever possible. Let’s break those health risks down into the different forms of mercury:

 

Elemental Mercury: This is somewhat dependant on the length and type of exposure, because if you were to swallow liquid elemental mercury (from a broken fever thermometer, for example) your body would absorb very little mercury. But, if you spill mercury and inhale it, your body would easily absorb the vapour and potentially develop serious health problems. High concentrations of mercury exposure can cause extensive damage to your mouth, lungs and respiratory tract, and can even lead to death from respiratory failure. At low concentrations, long-term exposure can lead to similar symptoms as you would experience from methyl mercury exposure.

 

Inorganic Mercury Compounds: The main concerns involving this kind of mercury are kidney failure and gastrointestinal damage, but mercury salts are very irritating, and can lead to blisters and ulcers on your lips and tongue. A high amount of exposure can also cause rashes, excessive sweating, irritability, muscle twitching, weakness and high blood pressure.

 

Organic Mercury Compounds (Methyl mercury): In some degree, methyl mercury accumulates in all fish, but you really need to watch out for predatory fish. You absorb methyl mercury through your digestive tract, which then gets distributed throughout your body. The compound can spend a long time in your brain, and it can also cross the placenta in pregnant women, getting to the foetus and building up in the baby’s brain and other tissues. You can also pass on methyl mercury to your child when breastfeeding. As a developing nervous system, as exists in children, is particularly sensitive to methyl mercury, you need to be extremely careful. Though it depends on the level of exposure, your child could experience a decrease in IQ, delayed development in terms of talking and walking, a lack of coordination, blindness and seizures. Don’t forget your wellness either; extreme methyl mercury exposure in adults can manifest as personality changes, tremors, changes in vision, deafness, loss of muscle coordination and sensation, memory loss, intellectual impairment, and even death.

Categories: elemental mercury, exposure, Health Risks, inorganic mercury, mercury, mercury combines, mercury compounds, mercury exposure, mercury salts, methyl mercury, organic mercury

Is Mercury Exposure the Culprit for Arctic Fox Decline?

When you think of endangered species, foxes probably aren’t the first animal to come to mind. In the UK, foxes can be found in Urban areas in abundance, and one or two probably make an appearance in your garden from time-to-time. In the Arctic, on the other hand, it’s an entirely different story.

On an island in the Bering Sea in the 1970s, a population of Arctic foxes began to mysteriously decline. These were thin and mangy animal, nearly all of whose cubs died. As it stands, there are only about 100 of these Arctic foxes left in the world – but why the decline? Until now, scientists have surmised that the animals were not felled by an infectious disease. However, according to a new study, published in the Public Library of Science journal PLOS ONE, has discerned a new cause of death: our poor environmental wellness.

The researchers, led by N. Bocharova, found that the Arctic foxes probably suffered from high mercury exposure as a result of eating seabirds and other marine animals. For their study, Correlates between feeding ecology and mercury levels in historical and modern arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus), the team of scientists studied fox fur samples from four sources. These samples came from Mednyi Island, where the population crashed; museum specimens of foxes from the Commander Islands; and two populations in Iceland.

While one of the groups mostly preyed on land animals such as mice, the other three, which included the group of foxes from Mednyi Island population, ate marine animals. The team of researchers found that the mercury levels in this latter group of foxes – those with the marine diet – were almost three times higher than in foxes with an inland diet. So why were the Mednyi Island population of Arctic foxes the ones who suffered the most?

Of the three groups of Arctic foxes that ate marine animals, the two, non-Mednyi groups also dine on land animals. The Mednyi Island foxes, on the other hand, rely exclusively on marine animals for food. The researchers also analysed the Mednyi Island foxes’ blood, skin, and faeces for signs of dangerous infections, but as most of these tests came back negative, the researchers concluded that this indicates that pathogens weren’t responsible for the population’s collapse.

Is Mercury Exposure the Culprit for Arctic Fox Decline?

Categories: arctic foxes, mercury, Research