A review of events that expose children to elemental mercury in the United States

Ciência & Saúde Coletiva

Robin Lee²  Dan Middleton²  Kathleen Caldwell¹  Steve Dearwent²  Steven Jones²  Brian Lewis¹  Carolyn Monteilh¹  Mary Ellen Mortensen¹  Richard Nickle²  Kenneth Orloff²  Meghan Reger²  John Risher²  Helen Schurz Rogers¹  Michelle Watters² 

[1] ,Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryAtlanta GA ,USA

关键词: Children;    Elemental mercury;    Environmental health;    Exposure;    United States;    Criança;    Elemento mercúrio;    Saúde ambiental;    Exposição;    Estados Unidos;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1413-81232010000200035

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Concern for children exposed to elemental mercury prompted the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the sources of elemental mercury exposures in children, describe the location and proportion of children affected, and make recommendations on how to prevent these exposures. In this review, we excluded mercury exposures from coal-burning facilities, dental amalgams, fish consumption, medical waste incinerators, or thimerosal-containing vaccines. We reviewed federal, state, and regional programs with data on mercury releases along with published reports of children exposed to elemental mercury in the United States. We selected all mercury-related events that were documented to expose (or potentially expose) children. Primary exposure locations were at home, at school, and at others such as industrial property not adequately remediated or medical facilities. Exposure to small spills from broken thermometers was the most common scenario; however, reports of such exposures are declining. The information reviewed suggests that most releases do not lead to demonstrable harm if the exposure period is short and the mercury is properly cleaned up. Primary prevention should include health education and policy initiatives.

【 授权许可】

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