Socioeconomic consequences of mercury use and pollution.
In the past, human activities often resulted in mercury releases to the biosphere with little consideration of undesirable consequences for the health of humans and wildlife. This paper outlines the pathways through which humans and wildlife are exposed to mercury. Fish consumption is the major route of exposure to methylmercury. Humans can also receive toxic doses of mercury through inhalation of elevated concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury. We propose that any effective strategy for reducing mercury exposures requires an examination of the complete life cycle of mercury. This paper examines the life cycle of mercury from a global perspective and then identifies several approaches to measuring the benefits of reducing mercury exposure, policy options for reducing Hg emissions, possible exposure reduction mechanisms, and issues associated with mercury risk assessment and communication for different populations.
Swain
Edward B
EB
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St Paul 55155, USA. edward.swain@state.mn.us
Jakus
Paul M
PM
Rice
Glenn
G
Lupi
Frank
F
Maxson
Peter A
PA
Pacyna
Jozef M
JM
Penn
Alan
A
Spiegel
Samuel J
SJ
Veiga
Marcello M
MM
D003132:Commerce; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005398:Fisheries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005579:Fossil Fuels / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000737:chemistry*; D008906:Mining / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011640:Public Policy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D005579:Fossil Fuels; D008628:Mercury