Mercury

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-016956",
  "term": "Mercury",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Heavy metal that can accumulate in the environment and is highly toxic if breathed or swallowed.\n\n2. A naturally occurring element that is found in air, water, and soil. It exists in several forms: elemental or metallic mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. Mercury is used in thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, and some electrical switches. For more information, visit EPA's Mercury Web site.\n\n3. A heavy metal that can bioaccumulate in the environment and is highly toxic if breathed or swallowed.\n\n4. A heavy metal that is a neurotoxin that is toxic if breathed or ingested at sufficiently high concentrations. Because of its common use, mercury is released during garbage incineration and through the combustion of fuels such as coal and wood for energy production. Mercury readily bioaccumulates in all aquatic organisms.\n\n5. Mercury occurs naturally in rocks and coal. Airborne mercury is converted in water by bacteria into a toxic form called methyl-mercury which accumulates in the food-chain. Mercury can build up in fish, which then poses health risks to people and animals that eat fish. Spills and improper treatment and disposal of mercury containing products or wastes are among other top sources of mercury in water.\n\n6. A heavy metal that is highly toxic if breathed or swallowed. The organic form of mercury, methylmercury, bioaccumulates in ecosystems and can cause adverse effects on children exposed before birth or adults at higher concentrations. The largest human-generated source of mercury emissions in the United States is the burning of coal. Other sources include the combustion of waste and industrial processes that use mercury.",
  "abbreviation": "Hg",
  "subject": "Policy and guidance",
  "references": [
    "Terms of Env; RCRA Glossary of Terms; Terms of Environment",
    "Greening EPA Glossary",
    "Childrens Health Protection Glossary",
    "Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) Glossary",
    "How's My Waterway Glossary",
    "America's Children and the Environment Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/mercury/"
}