Evidence of mercury exposure in a particular low-income community in South Africa

Abstract

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.