Mercury

The Issue
While mercury is a naturally occurring element found in air, water, and soil, exposure to mercury in certain forms is harmful to human health.  The primary risk is to women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children through their consumption of fish and shellfish that contain high levels of methylmercury which can damage the developing brain and cause learning disabilities.  Individuals can also be exposed to mercury vapors when products containing mercury break (e.g., mercury-containing thermometers).  Coal-burning power plants are the largest source of mercury to the atmosphere.

EPA Action
In addition to its responsibility for regulating mercury emissions, EPA supports the research of scientists work to understand the effects of mercury on human health and the environment.  EPA scientists conduct research to better understand mercury exposures, health and environmental effects, and technologies to measure and reduce mercury emissions.  EPA last revised its health assessment of mercury in July 2001.
 
Scientists are also seeking to better understand details about the transport, transformation, and fate of mercury and methylmercury in the environment; risk management alternatives for combustion and non-combustion sources; and the how to best communicates risk.  The goal in addressing the questions is to reduce the scientific uncertainties which limiting EPA's ability to assess and manage mercury and methylmercury risks.

Related Links

• EPA’s Mercury Web Site
• Fish Consumption Advisories
• IRIS Health Assessment for Mercury and Methylmercury
  
• Mercury Study Report to Congress
• Water Quality Criterion for Methylmercury

Best Resources

U.S. EPA. Mercury Research Strategy. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., 2000.

U.S. EPA. Health Effects Assessment for Mercury. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/540/1-86/042 (NTIS PB86134533).

Clarkson, T., J. Cranmer, D. Sivulka, AND R. Smith. Mercury Health Effects Update: Health Issue Assessment. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/8-84/019F.

U.S. EPA. Pilot Survey of Levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P-Dioxins (PCDDs), Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDFs), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) and Mercury in Rural Soils of the U.S. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-05/043F, 2007.

Pepelko, W. Drinking Water Criteria Document for Mercury (Final Draft). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/X-84/178-1 (NTIS PB86117827).

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