Acute or chronic mercury exposure can cause adverse effects during any period of development. Mercury is a highly toxic element; there is no known safe level of exposure. Ideally, neither children nor adults should have any mercury in their bodies because it provides no physiological benefit. Prenatal and postnatal mercury exposures occur frequently in many different ways. Pediatricians, nurses, and other health care providers should understand the scope of mercury exposures and health problems among children and be prepared to handle mercury exposures in medical practice. Prevention is the key to reducing mercury poisoning. Mercury exists in different chemical forms: elemental (or metallic), inorganic, and organic (methylmercury and ethyl mercury). Mercury exposure can cause acute and chronic intoxication at low levels of exposure. Mercury is neuro-, nephro-, and immunotoxic. The development of the child in utero and early in life is at particular risk. Mercury is ubiquitous and persistent. Mercury is a global pollutant, bio-accumulating, mainly through the aquatic food chain, resulting in a serious health hazard for children. This article provides an extensive review of mercury exposure and children's health.

AbstractBackground and aimsElemental mercury toxicity is a rare condition which can be difficult to diagnose due to its nonspecific signs and symptoms. The purpose of this investigation is to describe the presenting characteristics and treatment of adult and pediatric patients with elemental mercury poisoning.MethodsA retrospective review was performed in six patients with elemental mercury exposure or intoxication who were treated in an outpatient medical toxicology clinic. Clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory assessments, and public health responses were reviewed.ResultsHeadache, anorexia, rash, and personality changes were commonly reported symptoms in pediatric patients; the adult patients were asymptomatic or reported signs and symptoms included myalgias, tremors, and hypertension. Delays in diagnosis were common. Symptomatic patients had 24‐hour urine mercury concentrations greater than 20 mcg/L. Treatment, including removal from the exposure source as well as chelation with dimercaptosuccinic acid, resulted in resolution of signs and symptoms within 6 months of diagnosis.ConclusionThe evaluation and treatment of patients with suspected elemental mercury poisoning frequently require a multidisciplinary approach including medical toxicologists and public health officials. A heightened awareness of the clinical presentations of this condition, as well as early identification and removal of patients from the source of exposure and consideration of chelation therapy, can result in accelerated patient recovery.

Mercury (Hg), this non-essential heavy metal released from both industrial and natural sources entered into living bodies, and cause grievous detrimental effects to the human health and ecosystem. The monitoring of Hg²⁺ excessive accumulation can be beneficial to fight against the risk associated with mercury toxicity to living systems. Therefore, there is an emergent need of novel and facile analytical approaches for the monitoring of mercury levels in various environmental, industrial, and biological samples. The chromo-fluorogenic chemosensors possess the attractive analytical parameters of low-cost, enhanced detection ability with high sensitivity, simplicity, rapid on-site monitoring ability, etc. This review was narrated to summarize the mercuric ion selective chromo-fluorogenic chemosensors reported in the year 2020. The design of sensors, mechanisms, fluorophores used, analytical performance, etc. are summarized and discussed.

Mercury has long been recognized by the public health community as an environmental and occupational health hazard. In October 2013, the U.S. signed and ratified the international Minamata Convention on Mercury. Once fully ratified, this global treaty will require countries to reduce emissions and releases of mercury from products, processes, and industries to protect human health and the environment (United Nations Environment Programme, 2014). While many public health policy efforts focus on methylmercury exposure from fish or airborne elemental mercury emissions from coal-powered plants, a recent Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) initiative, Don’t Mess With Mercury (DMWM) (Figures 1 and ​and2),2), is aimed at preventing exposure from elemental mercury spills. FIGURE 1 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Don’t Mess With Mercury Initiative FIGURE 2 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Don’t Mess With Mercury Initiative Elemental mercury is a dense, silvery metal that is liquid at room temperature. When spilled, its high surface tension causes tiny droplets to form. These unique physical characteristics appeal to children and adolescents who have been observed playing with mercury, sharing it with friends, decorating their hair with it, taking it on school buses and into school buildings, and smoking mercury-dipped cigarettes. Mercury can be found in a variety of household items including thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, and electronic switches. People have kept jars and containers of mercury for refining metals, folk medicine, and some ritualistic practices (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [ATSDR], 1999). Elemental mercury volatilizes at room temperature; the vapors are colorless, odorless, and heavier than air and accumulate in lower areas of a room. Heating mercury or dispersing mercury droplets by vacuuming or sweeping will increase concentrations of airborne mercury. The droplets can settle deep into cracks and crevices making the spill difficult to remediate and providing an ongoing exposure. Inhalation of mercury vapor is the major route of exposure and toxicity; minimal dermal or gastrointestinal absorption occurs. Once inhaled, mercury enters the bloodstream and distributes to all tissues but accumulates primarily in the kidneys and brain. Elemental mercury crosses the blood-brain and placental barriers (ATSDR, 1999). The human body has no known physiologic requirement for mercury. The nervous system and renal system are sensitive targets for both acute and chronic exposures to mercury vapors. Exposures may result in tremor, personality changes, irritability, memory loss, insomnia, mood swings, weakness, and sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy. Kidney effects range from transient proteinuria to acute tubular necrosis. High concentrations of vapor received acutely can cause cough, dyspnea, and pneumonitis. Dermal manifestations of mercury vapor exposure may include an erythematous, pruritic rash or acrodynia (a rare, nonallergic hypersensitivity reaction seen in some children). In general, children are more sensitive to health effects from mercury than adults (ATSDR, 1999). Unfortunately many people, especially children, are not aware of the dangers of mercury exposure, and mercury spills are common throughout the country. In 2008, Congress directed ATSDR to characterize elemental mercury exposures to children across the U.S. The report, “Children’s Exposure to Elemental Mercury,” summarized numerous mercury spill exposures and other sources of children’s exposure to mercury (ATSDR, 2009). While no comprehensive surveillance system exists for elemental mercury spills, numerous sources were used to document hundreds of spills ranging in size from broken thermometers reported to poison control centers (1,825 calls in 2012) to mercury spills of one pound or more (two tablespoons by volume) that must be report

Mercury is a well-known toxic element, and flue gas streams emitted from coal-fired utilities are one of the largest anthropogenic sources of this element. This study briefly reviews the proposed technologies for reducing mercury emissions from coal combustion, focusing on an emerging process which involves the use of regenerable sorbents and especially those loaded with noble metals. Among the mercury species formed during coal combustion, elemental mercury is the most difficult to remove from the flue gases due to its low reactivity and insolubility in water. The widespread interest in using regenerable sorbents with metals is due to their ability to retain elemental mercury. With this technology, not only can efficiencies of 100 % be reached in the retention of elemental mercury but also a way to avoid the generation of new wastes loaded with mercury. This study considers the main aspects that must be taken into account when developing effective regenerable sorbents for mercury capture, with special attention to sorbents containing noble metals. The characteristics of this process are compared with those of other processes in a more advanced state of development.

"metallic" mercury. Elemental mercury is a shiny, silver-white metal that is liquid at room temperature. If not sealed off, mercury slowly evaporates into Mercury regulation in the United States limit the maximum concentrations of mercury (Hg) that is permitted in air, water, soil, food and drugs. The regulations are promulgated by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as a variety of state and local authorities. EPA published the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) regulation M… Mercury regulation in the United States limit the maximum concentrations of mercury (Hg) that is permitted in air, water, soil, food and drugs. The regulations are promulgated by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as a variety of state and local authorities. EPA published the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) regulation in 2012; the first federal standards requiring power plants to limit emissions of mercury and other toxic gases. == Background == === Forms of mercury === Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and exists in many forms. In pure form, it is known as "elemental" or "metallic" mercury. Elemental mercury is a shiny, silver-white metal that is liquid at room temperature. If not sealed off, mercury slowly evaporates into the air, forming a vapor. The quantity of vapor formed increases as temperatures rise. Elemental mercury is traditionally used in thermometers and some electrical switches. Inorganic mercury compounds or mercury salts, more commonly found in nature, include mercuric sulphide (HgS), mercuric oxide (HgO) and mercuric chloride (HgCl2). Most of these are white powders or crystals, except for mercuric sulphide which is red and turns black after exposure to light. Organic mercury is formed when mercury combines with carbon and other elements. Moreover, speciation determines how to control mercury emissions to air. For example, emissions of inorganic mercuric compounds (such as mercuric chloride) are captured reasonably well by some control devices (such as wet-scrubbers), while capture of elemental mercury tends to be low for most emission control devices. Once deposited, certain microorganisms can change it into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish, shellfish and animals that eat fish. The general population is primarily exposed to methylmercury through the diet (especially fish) and to elemental mercury vapors due to dental amalgams. Depending on local mercury pollution load, substantial additional contributions to the intake of total mercury can occur through air and water. === Health effects === Exposure to mercury differs depending on the type of food as well as dietetic practices. In fact, the biggest contribution of mercury comes from different fish sources and seafood. Other deficiencies that are observed with a persisting mercury intake are vitamin E, vitamin B12 and vitamin C. Long term deficiency in vitamin E might cause muscle weakness as well as loss of muscle mass, abnormal eye movements and even vision problems. As for vitamin B12 deficiency, it might cause anemia and confusion for the elderly population. Finally, for long term vitamin C deficiencies, high blood pressure as well as gallbladder disease and stroke are all possible outcomes of those deficiencies. In order to avoid such deficiencies, a higher intake of those nutrients and vitamins are necessary. Methylmercury is a type of mercury that is liquid at room temperature. Methylmercury exposure in the womb, which can result from a mother's consumption of fish and shellfish that contain methylmercury, can adversely affect a baby's growing brain and nervous system (see: Minamata disease). Impacts on cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language, and fine motor and visual spatial skills have been seen in children exposed to methylmercury in the womb. Elemental (metallic) mercury primarily causes health effects when it is breathed as a vapor where it can be absorbed through the lungs. These exposures can occur when elemental mercury is spilled or products that contain elemental mercury break and expose mercury to the air, particularly in warm or poorly ventilated indoor spaces. emotional changes (e.g., mood swings, irritability, nervousness, excessive shyness); insomnia; neuromuscular changes (such as weakness, muscle atrophy, twitching); headaches; disturbances in sensations; changes regulations to prevent mercury contamination == === Reasons for regulation === Inorganic mercury released into the atmosphere is converted to methylmercury by the action of microbes that live in aquatic systems including lakes, rivers, wetlands, sediments, soils and the open ocean. The methylmercury is absorbed by plankton and small fish. As these organisms are consumed by larger species up the food chain, the mercury concentration is magnified. Currently, humans around the world collectively emit 2000 metric tons per year. The proposed cap was set to be phased in two distinct phases, the first set at 38 tons annually while the second phase, set to commence 2018, required a cap of 15 tons annually. In December 2008, the D.C. Court of Appeals vacated the CAMR on the grounds that it illegally exempts utilities from the list of regulated source categories under the MACT standards. On March 16, 2011 EPA proposes Mercury and Air Toxic Standards, the first nationwide limits on coal-fired power plant emissions of mercury. The requirement includes the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), which requires facilities in the manufacturing sector (SIC codes 20-39) to report releases to air, water, and land for all listed chemicals, including mercury. Other sections require facilities to report spills of listed substances above a threshold reporting quantity (reportable quantities), and the quantities of chemicals stored above a specified threshold planning quantity. == U.S.

A study was conducted to evaluate sorbent technologies that can mitigate the presence of elemental mercury (Hg⁰) in waste containers for mercury-contaminated debris (MCD). Decontamination and demolition (D&D) activities at the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) and other U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) facilities generate MCD requiring offsite disposal. The debris is packaged in appropriate waste containers and may be temporarily stored onsite prior to transport for treatment and/or disposal. During transportation of loads that had no visible liquid Hg at the point of origin, temperature changes can cause Hg⁰ to evaporate, condense, and form droplets on container walls. Furthermore, vibration during transportation could cause beads of Hg to be released from the debris, container walls, and ceiling, resulting in pools of liquid Hg⁰ on the container floor. Waste acceptance criteria (WAC) limitations for commercial disposal facilities, the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), and ORR mixed low-level waste landfills prohibit the presence of any free liquids in containers identified as a solid waste form. Potential solutions to mitigate the presence of residual liquids that could be formed through vapor condensation include the use of sorbents or similar materials to capture and stabilize volatile Hg⁰ vapors and thus ensure compliance with landfill WAC requirements. This report summarizes data from small-scale laboratory experiments conducted to eva Evaluation of Technologies to Mitigate the Presence of Gaseous Elemental Mercury in Waste Disposal Containers (Technical Report) | OSTI.GOV Skip to main content Evaluation of Technologies to Mitigate the Presence of Gaseous Elemental Mercury in Waste Disposal Containers Technical Report · Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2172/3019939 · OSTI ID: 3019939 Johs, Alexander Search OSTI.GOV for author "Johs, Alexander" Search OSTI.GOV for ORCID "0000-0003-0098-2254" View ORCID profile [1] ; Mathews, Teresa J. Search OSTI.GOV for author "Mathews, Teresa J." Search OSTI.GOV for ORCID "0000-0001-6780-1142" View ORCID profile [1] ; Brooks, Scott C. Search OSTI.GOV for author "Brooks, Scott C." Search OSTI.GOV for ORCID "0000-0002-8437-9788" View ORCID profile [1] ; Xue, Jinping Search OSTI.GOV for author "Xue, Jinping" Search OSTI.GOV for ORCID "0000-0001-9464-4250" View ORCID profile [1] ; Minet, Antoine Search OSTI.GOV for author "Minet, Antoine" Search OSTI.GOV for ORCID "0000-0001-8214-8049" View ORCID profile [1] ; Kumara, Chanaka Ihala Gamaralalage Search OSTI.GOV for author "Kumara, Chanaka Ihala Gamaralalage" Search OSTI.GOV for ORCID "0000-0002-1496-8886" View ORCID profile [1] ; DiGinto, Biagio [1] Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States) + Show Author Affiliations A study was conducted to evaluate sorbent technologies that can mitigate the presence of elemental mercury (Hg⁰) in waste containers Potential solutions to mitigate the presence of residual liquids that could be formed through vapor condensation include the use of sorbents or similar materials to capture and stabilize volatile Hg⁰ vapors and thus ensure compliance with landfill WAC requirements. This report summarizes data from small-scale laboratory experiments conducted to evaluate sorbent materials for Hg⁰ vapor suppression and sorption of liquid Hg⁰ that could form under relevant transportation and disposal conditions. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate commercial sorbent materials and their effectiveness for Hg⁰ sorption across a temperature range from 19.4°C to 60°C. Elevated temperatures and moisture conditions did not result in significant increases of Hg⁰ headspace concentrations, and the materials also demonstrated high sorption capacities for the sorption of liquid Hg⁰. View Technical Report Cite Citation Formats MLA APA Chicago BibTeX Johs, Alexander, et al. "Evaluation of Technologies to Mitigate the Presence of Gaseous Elemental Mercury in Waste Disposal Containers." , Sep. 2025. https://doi.org/10.2172/3019939 🗎 Copy to clipboard Johs, Alexander, Mathews, Teresa J., Brooks, Scott C., Xue, Jinping, Minet, Antoine, Kumara, Chanaka Ihala Gamaralalage, & DiGinto, Biagio (2025). Evaluation of Technologies to Mitigate the Presence of Gaseous Elemental Mercury in Waste Disposal Containers. https://doi.org/10.2172/3019939 🗎 Copy to clipboard Johs, Alexander, Mathews, Teresa J., Brooks, Scott C., et al., "Evaluation of Technologies to Mitigate the Presence of Gaseous Elemental Mercury in Waste Disposal Containers," (2025), https://doi.org/10.2172/3019939 🗎 Copy to clipboard @techreport{osti_3019939, author = {Johs, Alexander and Mathews, Teresa J. and Brooks, Scott C. and Xue, Jinping and Minet, Antoine and Kumara, Chanaka Ihala Gamaralalage and DiGinto, Biagio}, title = {Evaluation of Technologies to Mitigate the Presence of Gaseous Elemental Mercury in Waste Disposal Containers}, institution = {Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)}, annote = {A study was conducted to evaluate sorbent technologies that can mitigate the presence of elemental mercury (Hg⁰) in waste containers for mercury-contaminated debris (MCD). Decontamination and demolition (D&D) activities at the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) and other U.S. This report summarizes data from small-scale laboratory experiments conducted to evaluate sorbent materials for Hg⁰ vapor suppression and sorption of liquid Hg⁰ that could form under relevant transportation and disposal conditions. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate commercial sorbent materials and their effectiveness for Hg⁰ sorption across a temperature range from 19.4°C to 60°C. The impact of residual moisture on sorption was investigated under relevant conditions, and leaching tests were performed to assess the stability of Hg⁰ captured sorbent materials.

This report synthesizes and evaluates published scientific literature on the environmental occurrence and biomagnification of mercury with emphasis on the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA), California. Mercury forms various compounds, well known for their toxicity in humans and environmental ecosystems. Elemental mercury is transported and distributed by air, water, and sediments. Through the metabolic processes of algae and bacteria, mercury is converted into organic compounds, such as methylmercury (MeHg), which then bioaccumulates up through trophic levels. In fish, it is found primarily in skeletal muscle, while in humans, the primary target organs are the brain and kidneys. Health concerns exist regarding bioaccumulation of mercury in humans. This paper reviews the known anthropogenic sources of mercury contamination, including atmospheric deposition through aerial transport from coal burning power plants, cement production, and residual contaminants of mercury from gold mining, as well as mercury-containing waste from silver amalgams emitted from dental offices into waterways. Although tools exist for measuring mercury levels in hair, breast milk, urine, blood, and feces in humans, current diagnostic tools are inadequate in measuring total mercury load, including deposited mercury in tissues. Additionally, insufficient attention is being paid to potential synergistic impacts of mercury interaction with multipliers such as lead, cadmium, and aluminum. We provide specific data on methylmercury concentrations at different trophic levels, followed by recommendations for reducing the level of mercury in the SFBA in order to protect the health of humans and other species.

over the lamp's lifetime. Like all fluorescent lamps, CFLs contain toxic mercury, which complicates their disposal. In many countries, governments have A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), also called compact fluorescent light, energy-saving light and compact fluorescent tube, is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent light bulb; some types fit into light fixtures designed for incandescent bulbs. The lamps use a tube that is curved or folded to fit into the space of an incandescent bulb, and a compact electronic ballast in the base o CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, contain mercury as vapor inside the glass tubing. Most CFLs contain 3–5 mg per bulb, with the bulbs labeled "eco-friendly" containing as little as 1 mg. Because mercury is poisonous, even these small amounts are a concern for landfills and waste incinerators where the mercury from lamps may be released and contribute to air and water pollution. In the U.S., lighting manufacturer members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) have voluntarily capped the amount of mercury used in CFLs. In the EU the same cap is required by the RoHS law. In areas where electric power is mostly generated in coal-fired stations, replacing incandescent bulbs by CFLs actually reduces mercury emissions. This is because the reduced electric power demand, reducing in turn the amount of mercury released by coal as it is burned, more than offsets the amount of mercury released from broken and discarded CFL bulbs. In July 2008 the U.S. EPA published a data sheet stating that the net system emission of mercury for CFL lighting was lower than for incandescent lighting of comparable lumen output. This was based on the average rate of mercury emission for U.S. electricity production and average estimated escape of mercury from a CFL put into a landfill. Coal-fired plants also emit other heavy metals, sulfur, and carbon dioxide. In the United States, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that if all 270 million CFLs sold in 2007 were sent to landfill sites, around 0.13 metric tons of mercury would be released, 0.1% of all U.S. emissions of mercury (around 104 metric tons that year). The graph assumes that CFLs last an average of 8,000 hours regardless of manufacturer and premature breakage. In areas where coal is not used to produce energy, the emissions would be less for both types of bulb. Special handling instructions for breakage are not printed on the packaging of household CFL bulbs in many countries. The amount of mercury released by one bulb can temporarily exceed U.S. federal guidelines for chronic exposure. Chronic, however, implies exposure for a significant time, and it remains unclear what the health risks are from…

of mercury), in ther¬ mometers, and, most commonly, in silent mercury switches. Mercury melts … Bromine, a nonmetal, and mercury, a metal, are liquids at room temperature. As far as we … off flammable vapors at low temperatures. It will produce these vapors at temperatures when