Mercury is a heavy metal that is liquid at room temperature. It can be found in everyday items such as thermometers, thermostats, and blood pressure machines.

Mercury can bioaccumulate in the soil as a result of industrial pollution. It may further accumulate in marine and other aquatic food chains, primarily affecting large, predatory fish. Women of childbearing age and young children are encouraged to avoid shark, king mackerel, and tilefish as they may contain high levels of mercury.

 

 

Mercury may cause detrimental effects to fetuses and developing children. These effects target the brain and nervous system. They include:

 

 

Study done by Falluel-Morel et.al. on rats severely affected the hippocampus when given varying concentrations of mercury. Memory and spatial regonition were tested using a water maze in which they had to locate a platfom. Both control and experimental groups were tested once, and again two weeks later. The control group easily found the platform while the experimental group showed no signs of learning.

The results of this study concluded that mercury exposure decreases DNA synthesis in the hippocampus which causes decreased memory and learning ability.

 

 

A survey conducted by Burak and Costello at an all women's college in New England questioned women on their knowledge on birth defects caused by mercury. Of 3,000 women, 33% knew that certain fish could be harmful and only 25% said that they would change their diet to avoid these risks.

Reports have noted that small scale gold mining contributes to mercury pollution. The mine workers and people living close by are most affected by mercury's harmful effects. Education in these areas is an important part of stopping the mercury pollution and decreasing the occurance of birth defects.

Many states in the US have restrictions on the types of fish women and children may consume. Mercury defects are 100% preventable by avoiding these sources.