Sources and Toxicity of Mercury in the San Francisco Bay Area, Spanning California and Beyond

Abstract

This report synthesizes and evaluates published scientific literature on the environmental occurrence and biomagnification of mercury with emphasis on the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA), California. Mercury forms various compounds, well known for their toxicity in humans and environmental ecosystems. Elemental mercury is transported and distributed by air, water, and sediments. Through the metabolic processes of algae and bacteria, mercury is converted into organic compounds, such as methylmercury (MeHg), which then bioaccumulates up through trophic levels. In fish, it is found primarily in skeletal muscle, while in humans, the primary target organs are the brain and kidneys. Health concerns exist regarding bioaccumulation of mercury in humans. This paper reviews the known anthropogenic sources of mercury contamination, including atmospheric deposition through aerial transport from coal burning power plants, cement production, and residual contaminants of mercury from gold mining, as well as mercury-containing waste from silver amalgams emitted from dental offices into waterways. Although tools exist for measuring mercury levels in hair, breast milk, urine, blood, and feces in humans, current diagnostic tools are inadequate in measuring total mercury load, including deposited mercury in tissues. Additionally, insufficient attention is being paid to potential synergistic impacts of mercury interaction with multipliers such as lead, cadmium, and aluminum. We provide specific data on methylmercury concentrations at different trophic levels, followed by recommendations for reducing the level of mercury in the SFBA in order to protect the health of humans and other species.

Potential Health Effects of Heavy Metals and Carcinogenic Health Risk Estimation of Pb and Cd Contaminated Eggs from a Closed Gold Mine Area in Northern Thailand

“…It is estimated that about 15 million miners are affected globally [ 56 ]. Additionally, exposure to other toxic metals such as arsenic (As), Pb, Cd, and Mn may occur through mining-related activities and could be ingested via air, sediment, water, or food contamination [ 57 , 58 ]. Mining activities such as excavation, crushing, and milling may result in the increased liberation of these toxic metals.…”

Pathogenesis of COVID‐19 described through the lens of an undersulfated and degraded epithelial and endothelial glycocalyx

“…It has been hypothesized that mercury toxicity causes susceptibility to COVID-19 since both conditions lead to hypercoagulability, high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and lymphopenia. 255 Moreover, it should be noted that mercury also has a high binding affinity for sulfur, [256][257][258] and it is very likely that high mercury levels will result in reduced levels of inorganic sulfate for GAG sulfation. The major source of mercury toxicity in humans is dental amalgam fillings.…”

Effects and Consequences of Nano Fertilizer Application on Plant Growth and Developments: A Review

“…Herbivorous organisms consuming these plants will intake these nanoparticles, and if they too accumulate these particles, it sets the stage for biomagnification. As one moves up the trophic levels, the concentrations can magnify, potentially reaching harmful levels for apex predators, including humans in some cases [28].…”