Mercury as a Pollutant: Sources, Routes of Exposure, and Health Effects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36790/epistemus.v18i36.306Keywords:
Mercury, Environmental contamination, Deposition, Mining activiy, Minamata conventionAbstract
On February 23, with the unanimous decision of the governments of 140 countries, the Day of the International Commitment to Mercury Control is commemorated, in which joint efforts were rectified to face environmental problems at local, regional, and global levels. Environmental mercury pollution (Hg) is the product of human activities, mainly due to the artisanal small-scale gold mining, as well as to emissions from natural sources. People exposed to Hg vapors and methylmercury (MeHg, organic form of Hg) are subject of neurological diseases, as well as severe kidney damage. Recently, after several worldwide disasters due to Hg poisoning, the problem was formally recognized and taken into consideration. This scientific dissemination work aims to improve the understanding of the impact of Hg pollution and in the awareness of health damage caused by the exposure to Hg vapor and methylmercury.
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