Mercury, asbestos, lead, and radon as environmental health hazards

Chemical Exposure, Public Health Concerns, & Environmental Impact

Chemical Health Effects

A.) Mercury

Health Risks

Neurological damage (adolescent)

Neurological damage and developmental disabilities (in utero, neonatal stage)

Low I.Q

B.) Asbestos

Health Risks

lung cancer

breathing difficulty

death

C.) Lead

Health Risks

Mental Retardation

Stunted Growth

Visual/Hearing Impairment

D.) Radon

Health Risks

Lung Cancer

Mercury

Mercury has long been identified as an environmental hazard and of great concern to public health. Mercury is toxic to vital organs and is deadly when entered into the bloodstream in quantities greater than trace amounts. Recently, mercury has been observed in oceanic fish that are caught in the wild and sold at markets and in fish caught at reservoirs.

"Mercury has been found in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from five South Carolina reservoirs. According to investigators, "mercury concentrations in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) bass were compared among five reservoirs in South Carolina. Three of these reservoirs (Lake Russell, Lake Thurmond, and Lake Marion) are accessible to the public and two (L-Lake and Par Pond) are located on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savanna River Site (SRS), which is closed to public access." (NewsRx, 2006)

The implication is the U.S. DoE has potentially released excess mercury, which has drained into these lakes and reservoirs. Most industrial sites are major environmental hazards as the release chemicals into the environment. The DoE is similar to private industrial operations such that chemicals are also released into the environment that causes considerable damage to the eco system and creates major health hazards for the population at-large.

However, "no mercury concentrations in excess of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level (1.0mg/kg) were found in any bass from the public-accessible reservoirs. However, the majority of fish from these reservoirs had mercury concentrations that fall into or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency consumption category of 'no more than one per week'. (NewsRx)

"Researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine estimated (in 2000) the annual cost of lost productivity associated with IQ impairment from mercury pollution was U.S. 1.3 billion. Health and medical groups cited widely accepted scientific research describing mercury as a 'potent neurotoxicant' that can cause developmental and learning difficulties, reduce IQ, and impair motor function, vision and hearing." (ANJ, 2005)

Lead

Lead is another well-known threat and is of greatest danger to children and to those within industrial environments where lead is known or is commonly used. "Lead poses a serious environmental health risk to young children, causing such irreversible health effects as mental retardation, stunted growth, and hearing and visual impairment. Studies suggest that various sectors of the public, including children's caregivers, are not sufficiently concerned about this risk or knowledgeable about ways of minimizing it." (Brittle, Zint, 2003)

The developmental stage of a child's growth is extremely sensitive and is subject to abnormal physiological and psychological development should any child ingest or have lead ions enter into the blood stream. Caregivers and other members of society whom have direct contact with children must be made aware of this fact. There has been a new wave of immigrants, many whom may have emigrated from nations where lead is ubiquitous in the environment.

"Children may encounter lead almost anywhere, from their homes to their playgrounds. Lead paint continues to cause most cases of severe lead poisoning in children, although its use was outlawed in 1978 (Needleman, 1998). As older homes deteriorate or are renovated, lead paint may flake, creating a hazard of ingestion by children and dust contamination that is often invisible to the unaided human eye." (Brittle, Zint, 2003)

"In the United States, about 7.6% of children under six years of age are estimated to have blood lead levels above those that federal agencies consider safe (the blood lead standard is currently 10 micrograms per deciliter [[mu]g/dl]) (Centers for Disease Control and prevention [CDC], 2000). These children disproportionately live in poor, urban areas, and consequently, in some parts of the country, up to 30% of children may be exposed to unsafe levels of lead (CDC, 2000)." (Brittle, Zint, 2003)

Radon

Radon levels have been an issue in many a rural town throughout the country. Unfortunately, the overall awareness of radon and the inherent danger of high radon levels is not fully understood by residents. "People are advised to take action when the radon gas levels in their home are above the average health-risk range, said Dr. Christine Nevin-Woods." (Sword 2008)

"Radon can cause lung cancer in people who are exposed to the invisible, odorless gas above certain levels and for prolonged periods of time. It seeps from the ground into homes through cracks in foundations and basement walls. Higher levels typically are found in basements than upper levels. Radon is produced as part of the natural decay process of uranium, and highly mineralized areas, have a bounty of metals, including uranium, says Nevin-Woods. Radon kits are available at most hardware stores for less than $20. The tests are conducted by opening the test kit container and leaving them on a table in the lowest livable area of the home for a minimum of 48 hours." (Sword, 2008)

Radon is unfortunately not a threat that is made widely aware. Many are unaware of the natural decaying of uranium in uranium rich environments. "It is important to test for an to determine the radon levels in homes as long-term radon exposure is the most frequent cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and the second major cause of lung cancer in smokers, says Nevin-Woods)." (Sword, 2008)