Mercury in Alaska

Mercury Drop DEC's Division of Environmental Health is concerned about mercury as an environmental health risk. This page contains a compilation of basic information about mercury, toxicity, sources of mercury, monitoring and reduction efforts, and regulatory aspects. The site will be updated as new information becomes available.

If you have any questions on the contents of this page or questions on mercury, please contact Marlena Brewer at marlena.brewer@alaska.gov or 907-269-1099.

News

State Tested Nome Miners for Mercury Exposure:

Alaska Division of Public Health staff was recently in Nome (Wednesday, August 29 through Saturday, September 1, 2012) to collect urine samples and ask a few questions of gold miners who may have been exposed to mercury. Hair samples were also collected from local residents. Results are not yet available, but stay tuned.

Broken Thermometer with Mercury Leaking Mercury, Gold Mining and Health (Alaska HSS)

News:

Conferences:

International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant -
July 28-August 2, 2013

Basic Information

Mercury (EPA)
Mercury (EPA: Region 10)
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR)

Fate & Transport:

Sources of Mercury:

Mercury in the Air

Atmospheric Mercury Measurements (NOAA)
Air Toxics: Mercury Compounds (EPA)
Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Project (National Park Service)
Air: Western Hemisphere Presentation
Summary of Proposed National Emissions Standard for Gold Mine Ore Processing & Production Presentation

Toxicity Studies

Monitoring

Hair Monitoring:

Fish Monitoring:

Mercury Reduction

Health & Dental Care Reduction:

Mercury Information for Health Care Providers (EPA)
Mercury Reduction in Hospitals (Sustainable Hospitals)
Dental Amalgam Effluent Guideline (EPA)
Amalgam Waste (ADA)

Regulations

State of Alaska:

Federal:

Mercury Laws & Regulations (EPA)
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)
Occupational Safety & Health Organization (OSHA)

International:

Environmental Health Criteria for Mercury (WHO)
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (UN Economic Commission for Europe)
1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals (UN Economic Commission for Europe)
Basel Convention
Rotterdam PIC Convention

Resources

Safe Mercury Management in Alaska
Mercury & the Environment (Environment Canada)
Mercury Programme (UN Environment Programme)
Mercury Study Report to Congress 1997 (EPA)

Mercury Cyling Through the Environment

Quick Facts

Highly Toxic:

Neurotoxin (affects central nervous system and brain)
Affects kidneys, stomach, intestines, and heart
May cause learning disabilities, developmental effects and behavioral issues.
May affect immune system.

Persistent & Bioaccumulative:

Remains in the environment for a long time
Cycles through the environment.
Humans may be exposed to contaminated soil or water.
Accumulates up the food chain.
Humans may also be exposed by eating contaminated fish or wildlife.

Three Forms:

Metallic mercury (elemental mercury) - shiny silver colored liquid.
Inorganic mercury (mercury salts) - combined with other elements such as chlorine, sulfur, or oxygen. White crystals or powder except mercury sulfide (cinnabar) which is red. May be dissolved in water and not visible.
Organic mercury - mercury combined with carbon. Most common form is methylmercury which is also the most toxic form that accumulates up the food chain. Methylmercury may be dissolved in water or tissues and is not visible.