EBK LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT
EBK LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT
19th Edition
ISBN: 9781337516082
Author: Miller
Publisher: CENGAGE LEARNING - CONSIGNMENT
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 17, Problem 1CR
To determine

The toxic effects of mercury and the ways in which people are exposed to mercury and its compounds.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1CR

The toxic effects of mercury include nervous system damage, organ damage especially the brain, kidney, and lungs. The exposure to mercury during pregnancy can cause congenital disabilities and brain damages in the fetus. People are exposed to mercury and its compounds through emission from burying coal powder, industrial plants, smelters, solid-waste, incinerators, cements kilns and so on.

Explanation of Solution

Mercury is a toxic compound that is responsible for causing many defects in humans. The mercury mainly damages the nervous system by directly acting on the brain. It also damages the organs like the liver and lungs. In the lungs, the mercury deposit in the form of aerosols or powders and lead to respiratory disorders like COPD and so on.

The mercury ingested through water can cause excessive damage to the liver. Pregnant females and children are more likely to suffer from mercury poisoning. The pregnant females exposed to mercury can give birth to a child with fetal defects.

The sources by which a person is exposed to mercury and its products are as follows:

(i) Burning powdered coal

(ii) Emissions from industrial plants

(iii) Toxic waste effluents in the rivers, lakes, ponds, and wells.

(iv) Smelters

(v) Solid waste incinerators

(vi) Cement kilns

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134041360
Author:Greg Carbone
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:9781260153125
Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education
Text book image
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134543536
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:9781337569613
Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:9781259916823
Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,