Mercury (Hg)
- Mercury (Hg)
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that can be toxic to people and wildlife. Mercury has also been added to numerous products historically. Human activities including improperly disposing of mercury-containing products or burning fossil fuels which contain trace amounts of mercury have increased the amount of mercury deposited in the environment. When mercury enters aquatic ecosystems, primarily through atmospheric deposition, mercury is often converted to methylmercury (an organic form) which is bioaccumulated and magnified up the aquatic food chain. This can pose a risk to humans, primarily the unborn child and young children, as well as wildlife that consume fish with elevated levels of methylmercury. Michigan provides guidelines for eating safe fish that have lower levels of methylmercury. Elemental mercury Hg(0) is a heavy, silvery-white metal which is liquid at ordinary room temperature and has been used in many man-made products (thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, etc.). At room temperature, Hg(0) evaporates to become an invisible, odorless, and toxic vapor. The hazardous route of exposure is inhalation of mercury vapor which is often associated with the inadequate cleanup of broken mercury-containing products. The most powerful and simple action that you can do to prevent this is by purchasing of mercury-free alternative, such as a programmable mercury-free thermostats.
EGLE has outlined many more activities to reduce the use and release of mercury in the environment and can be found in the EGLE Mercury Strategy. EGLE also developed a plan called a Total Maximum Daily Load for how much atmospheric deposition of mercury should be reduced in order for the fish in the state to be safe to eat.
In the Event of an Emergency, Contact
Poison Control: 800-222-1222, or Dial 911
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: 800-648-6942
What EGLE and Others Are Doing
- Mercury Trends in Michigan Fish 1990-2015
- Final Statewide Hg TMDL 2018
- DEQ Mercury Strategy Final Progress Report - 2016
- Sectors that Use Mercury
- Mercury in Products Phase-Down Strategy
- Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy
- Mercury Research in the Great Lakes Basin
- ECOS Area of Focus - Mercury
- Interstate Mercury Education & Reduction Clearinghouse (IMERC) Fact Sheets
- 2011 Summary of Michigan's Mercury Reduction Activities
- EPA Mercury Site
- Mercury Legislation
- Mercury Air Issues
Protecting Yourself
- Bulb Crushers - Guidance for Schools
- Michigan Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSSES)
- Michigan Fish Consumption Advisory Program
- Cleaning up a Mercury Spill
- CFL Spills
- EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
- EPA Fish Consumption Advice
- From Source to Seafood Video
- Mercury Health Effects (EPA)
- Mercury and Your Health (MDHHS)
- Michigan Releases Mercury Safety PSAs
- Mercury Videos
- Spill Cleanup Kits
- Mercury Releases and Spills (EPA)
- Mercury Spill Resources