Bureau of Environmental Health Health Assessment Section MMeerrccuurryy

Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions “To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans”

What is mercury? How does mercury enter the environment? Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in the environment. Mercury is a metal found in three ¾ Mercury can enter the water or soil from natural forms. The three forms of mercury are: ore deposits in rock. Volcanic rock contains higher levels of mercury. Ohio’s rocks contain ¾ Elemental (also called Metallic Mercury) low levels of mercury. ¾ Organic ¾ Metallic mercury and inorganic mercury ¾ Inorganic compounds can enter the air from burning Mercury combines with other elements, such as coal and the coal mining waste. chlorine, sulfur or oxygen, to form inorganic mercury ¾ When mercury is released in the burning of coal, compounds or “salts,” which are usually white it will come down in the rain that will then run into powders or crystals. Mercury also combines with Ohio’s lakes and streams. Microscopic bacteria carbon to make organic mercury compounds. in the water ingest the mercury and convert it to methylmercury. The more mercury in the Elemental or Metallic Mercury is a shiny, silver, environment, the more methylmercury these odorless, liquid metal. Metallic mercury is small organisms in the water make. Higher levels the elemental or “pure” form of mercury of methylmercury in the water build up in the because it is not combined with other tissues of fish. The larger and older fish tend to elements. It is the common liquid metal have the highest levels of mercury. Note: Ohio used in thermometers, dental fillings, blood fish advisories suggest limits for eating Ohio’s fish. pressure cuffs, fluorescent light bulbs, ¾ Metallic mercury easily evaporates into the air barometers, batteries and switches. It when the liquid metal is spilled. The Ohio Mercury can also be found in some older medicines. Reduction Group is educating Ohio schools to At room temperature, metallic mercury remove all metallic mercury-containing items will vaporize and form mercury vapors. from their school grounds. These mercury vapors do not have a color, do not have a smell and are harmful to your health. How does mercury get in your body?

Organic Mercury is mercury that combines with ¾ By breathing the vapors in the air from a mercury carbon and hydrogen to make an organic mercury spill. If you drop a mercury thermometer on the compound. The most common organic mercury ground, it may break and the mercury may compound is methylmercury. Methylmercury is separate into many small beads and spread produced by microscopic bacteria that live on the throughout the room. At room temperature, bottom of lakes and ponds. These bacteria ingest metallic mercury will vaporize. The higher the the mercury and turn it into temperature, the more vapors will be released. methylmercury. Higher levels These vapors are colorless, odorless and are of methylmercury in the water harmful to your health. build up in the tissue of fish ¾ By breathing the smoke, vapors and particles and can be dangerous. from industries that burn mercury-containing coal. ¾ By eating fish or shellfish contaminated with Inorganic Mercury is mercury that combines with methylmercury. other elements such as chlorine, sulfur or oxygen, ¾ By the small releases of mercury from dental to form “salts.” Mercury salts were once used in work and medical treatments. skin lightening creams and may be present in old ¾ By breathing contaminated workplace air or skin antiseptic creams and ointments. contact. There is an increased risk for dental, health services, chemical and other industries that use mercury.

How does mercury affect your health? Has the federal government made The nervous system is very sensitive to all forms of recommendations to protect human mercury. Methylmercury and metallic mercury vapors health? are more harmful than other forms because more mercury in these forms reaches the brain. The EPA has set a limit of mercury in drinking water

at 2 parts per billion (2 ppb). Exposure to high levels of metallic, organic or inorganic mercury can permanently damage the The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a brain, kidneys or a developing fetus. Effects on brain maximum permissible level of 1 part of functioning may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, methylmercury in a million parts of seafood (1 ppm). changes in vision or hearing and memory problems. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Short-term exposure to high levels of metallic (OSHA) has set limits of 100 µg/m3 (microgram per mercury vapors may cause effects including lung cubic meter) of organic mercury per cubic meter of damage, nausea (upset stomach), vomiting, diarrhea, workplace air and 50 µg/m3 of metallic mercury vapor increases in blood pressure or heart rate, skin for 8-hour shifts and 40- hour work weeks. rashes and eye irritation. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease How can families reduce the risk of Registry (ATSDR) has set a guideline of ≤1 µg/m3 exposure to mercury? (microgram per cubic meter) as the acceptable level ¾ Carefully handle and dispose of products that for most residential occupancy, provided no visible contain mercury such as thermometers or metallic mercury is present. fluorescent light bulbs (see below health alert). Reference ¾ Do not vacuum spilled mercury. It will break The Agency for Toxic into small beads and vaporize. Substances and ¾ DO NOT wash any clothing that has come Disease Registry into contact with mercury. (ATSDR) ¾ If a spill occurs, isolate the spill area (close March, 1999. Toxicological profile for mercury. off the room), and contact the local health Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human department or Ohio EPA for guidance. Services, Public Health Service. ¾ Teach children not to play with shiny, silver liquids. Where can I get more information? ¾ Properly dispose of older medicines that contain mercury. Ohio Department of Health ¾ Pregnant women and children should stay Health Assessment Section away from rooms where liquid mercury has 246 N. High Street been used. Columbus, Ohio 43215 ¾ Learn about the Ohio fish advisories by Phone: (614) 466-1390 calling (614) 644-2001 or visiting online at: Fax: (614) 466-4556 www.epa.ohio.gov/dsw/fishadvisory/index.aspx / [email protected]

Health Alert !! Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) Replace your mercury-containing thermometers Ohio Mercury Reduction Group (OMRG) and switches and replace them with mercury-free 122 S. Front Street products. Contact your local Ohio EPA District Columbus, Ohio 43215 Office, Solid Waste Management Division to ask 614-644-3469 how you can dispose of your old mercury www.epa.state.oh.us/ thermometers and products that contain mercury.

Revised December 2010