Objectives
The report’s objective is to determine the capacity and the danger of mercury consumption by human beings.
Introduction
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and is found in some parts of the environment. There are several artificial and natural mercury sources; however, the most significant ones are those which people are susceptible to every day. Generally, extensive mercury consumption affects body systems, such as digestive, immune, circulatory, nervous, and reproductive systems. Also, it causes the body organ’s failure which may result in individual aftermath (“How People Are Exposed to mercury”). Mercury exists in various forms which differ in toxic level and their effects on the body system; therefore, individuals should have control over food consumption because cooking does not eliminate mercury.
Results
How People Are Exposed to Mercury
The most common way for people in the US to be exposed to mercury is by consuming fish and shellfish containing methyl mercury. However, individuals can be exposed to mercury in various forms under different circumstances. Apart from eating fish, a worker can consume mercury through inhalation of elemental mercury in the industrial process and using recess produce bearing the element. The typical exposure mercury is mainly through metallic products. Breaking containers have mercury which evaporates and becomes odorless, toxic vapor when not cleaned up immediately (“How People Are Exposed to mercury”). Exposure occurs when people inhale the toxic vapor into their lungs. To enjoy the benefits of eating fish while minimizing exposure to mercury; the Environmental Protection Agency advises individuals to consume the type of fish which contains low mercury content. Fish is an essential dish in human diet; however, some fish can contain mercury and other harmful chemicals. Therefore, specific advisories on fish consumption are crucial.
Amount of mercury consumed by shrimp.
The concentration of mercury per shrimp in mg/g-shrimp)
Amount of mercury consumed by fish if fish in the lake eat about 1,700 g of shrimp
The concentration of mercury per fish given one fish weighs 150 g
Mercury consumed by a person in 1 day given a person from this community eats 1 fish daily
Mercury consumed by the person in 30 years
Conclusion
Steps to Reduce Mercury in The Environment
Reducing mercury pollution could involve the use and consumption of natural resources, and practicing safe fish caging. This could be effective when individuals understand the dangers of mercury elements such as methyl mercury, metallic mercury, and other related mercury compounds. Fish is a primary food in the human diet; however, limiting fish-eating and giving alternative white meat such as poultry would reduce exposure to methyl mercury (“How People Are Exposed to mercury”). Some mercury compounds such as ethyl mercury and phenyl mercury are used as medicine preservatives which eventually put human life in danger. In summary, mercury is a harmful metal of which effects can be controlled by practicing self-control in all human actions.
Reference
“How people are exposed to mercury,” US EPA. 2021. Web.