Socioeconomic Consequences of Mercury Use and Pollution

Authors

Edward B. Swain
Paul Mark Jakus, Utah State UniversityFollow
Glenn Rice
Frank Lupi
Peter Maxson
Joseph Pacyna
Alan Penn
Samuel Spiegel
Marcello Viega

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Ambio

Volume

36

Issue

1

Publication Date

2007

First Page

45

Last Page

61

Abstract

In the past, human activities often resulted in mercury releases to the biosphere with little consideration of undesirable consequences for the health of humans and wildlife. This paper outlines the pathways through which humans and wildlife are exposed to mercury. Fish consumption is the major route of exposure to methylmercury. Humans can also receive toxic doses of mercury through inhalation of elevated concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury. We propose that any effective strategy for reducing mercury exposures requires an examination of the complete life cycle of mercury. This paper examines the life cycle of mercury from a global perspective and then identifies several approaches to measuring the benefits of reducing mercury exposure, policy options for reducing Hg emissions, possible exposure reduction mechanisms, and issues associated with mercury risk assessment and communication for different populations.

Recommended Citation

Swain, Edward B., Paul M. Jakus, Glenn Rice, Frank Lupi, Peter Maxson, Joseph Pacyna, Alan Penn, Samuel Spiegel, and Marcello Viega. 2007. “Socioeconomic Consequences of Mercury Use and Pollution.” Ambio, 36(1):45-61.