The Dangers of Mercury

Mercury is one of the most toxic poisons known to science. Even trace amounts of it, once ingested, can cause a long list of serious health threats.

Yet, over 12,000 pounds of mercury were emitted from America's top 100 cement plants in 2006 alone.

Mercury pollution poses especially serious risks to pregnant women and their infants. Each year, over 400,000 newborns in the United States are exposed to mercury levels that can:

• Damage brain development;


• Cause learning disabilities;


• Result in language disorders and memory problems;


• Impair vision and hearing;


• and many other harmful effects.

Adult exposure to mercury is associated with heart disease and other cardiovascular illnesses. The main source of mercury exposure is from eating contaminated fish. Once released into the environment, mercury pollution enters aquatic systems where it accumulates in the food chain.

Concentrations of mercury compounds in fish at the top of the food chain can be as much as a million times higher than the water they are found in. That is a main reason why pregnant women or women who want to have kids are warned to limit consumption of or to stop eating certain kinds of fish.

Take Action NOW: Please send an email right now to urge your members of Congress to protect Americans from the danger of mercury pollution.

If you wish more information on Mercury? Please see related posts on Endangered Spaces blog over the past 4 years. The problem is not going away.

Tags: mercury, mercury pollution, learning disability, language development, memory problem, impaired vision, hearing disorders