Mercury A Dilemma for the Caribbean Region

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Mercury A Dilemma for the Caribbean Region

Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2018, Vol 4, Issue 4

Abstract

The islands of the Caribbean have long been susceptible to the impact of Mercury pollution. Factors such as consumption of contaminated fish, usage of mercury based cosmetic products, artisanal gold mining activities and poor disposal and handling of mercury containing equipment and products are significant sources of Mercury with entry into the human body via ingestion, inhalation and absorption through the skin and membranes. Geographically, the region is located where a number of oceanic currents converge, bringing with it pollution from Western Europe, West Africa and South America. The region is therefore strongly influenced by external sources of Mercury. Although these island states cannot influence the externally generated mercury pollutants, they can at least take charge of the internally generated pollutants. As these islands attempt to implement the guidelines of the Minamata Convention, some of the sources of Mercury in the region are explored along with the challenges they face developing and implementing these new policies. The element Mercury has been around for a very long time. It is not sure who discovered it or how it was discovered, but it was well known by the ancients and widely used by modern man. The symbol for Mercury is Hg, which is short for hydrargyrum [1], Latin for liquid silver. Mercury is a heavy element that conducts heat fairly well and electricity very well. In its elemental state it is relatively inert, it does not react with strong acids and has the uncanny ability for staying together, on the other hand, Mercury in its vapor state is very toxic [2]. Mercury have been known to cause a range of health issues including damage to the central nervous system, neurological and behavioural disorders, tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, headaches, corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, can induce kidney toxicity if ingested and at times can be fatal [3]. The toxicity of Mercury is dependent on its chemical form, dose and rate of exposure with Mercury in some chemical forms being more toxic than others. Inorganic Mercury constitutes Mercury salts, elemental Mercury and Mercury vapour. Mercury vapour, which is a common source of exposure for artisanal gold miners, is rapidly absorbed through the mucus layer of the pulmonary tract at a rate of 80%, with at least 66% of the absorbed Mercury transported immediately in the blood to various organs and tissue [4]. As only 3% of the Mercury vapour is oxidized between the lung and brain [5], the majority of Mercury reaches the brain in the form of the vapour which easily crosses the blood-brain barrier [6], leading to severe neurological disorders. Inorganic Mercury in the form of Mercury salts such as those used in skin bleaching creams are absorbed via the intestinal tract and affect many organs in particular the kidneys resulting in nephrotic syndrome and organ failure. Other conditions include Contact Dermatitis and Acrodynia (painful extremities) [3]. Organic Mercury, typically Ethyl and Methyl Mercury are commonly found in larger fishes and can be easily absorbed through the skin and intestines and deposited in tissues, however organic Mercury does not cross the blood-brain barrier as quickly as Mercury vapour. Methyl Mercury subsequently does concentrate in brain tissue by forming MeHg-L-cysteine complex, which mimics the molecular structure of Methionine [7]. Methyl Mercury is therefore responsible for severe neurological disorders with symptoms similar to those caused by Mercury Vapour. The same cannot be said about Ethyl Mercury which accumulates more in the kidneys than the brain [8] resulting in a prevalence of nephrotic syndrome and organ failure.

Authors and Affiliations

Terry I Mohammed, Azad Mohammed

Keywords

EP ID EP591558
DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.MS.ID.001093
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