- Link:
- http://hdl.handle.net/10204/4307
- Collection:
-
- Subjects
- Mercury Mercury exposure Low-income communities Energy Coal Coal combustion Mercury pollution Mercury emissions Metallic mercury Methylmercury CSIR Conference 2010
- Creators:
- John, J Somerset, V Oosthuizen, MA
- Publisher
- CSIR
- Type
- Poster
- Language
- en
- Description
- South Africa relies mainly on coal for its energy
needs. In addition, the country is one of the main producers of
gold. Both coal combustion and gold mining are sources of mercury
pollution, contributing to South Africa being one of the leading
countries in terms of mercury emissions to the environment. The
human nervous system is very sensitive to mercury. When metallic
mercury vapour in the air is inhaled, it may cross the blood-brain
barrier and cause permanent brain damage (Figure 1). Bacteria in
water and soil convert metallic mercury into methylmercury, which
accumulates in the food chain, causing larger and older fish to
have the highest concentrations. When people drink water or eat
fish containing methylmercury, they may suffer permanent damage to
the nervous system. The half-life of mercury in the human body is
about two months.
- Description
- CSIR 3rd Biennial Conference 2010. Science Real and
Relevant. CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South
Africa, 30 August – 01 September 2010
- Access:
- Instructions in case access is denied
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