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Environmental mercury contamination in China: Sources and impacts

Abstract

This review article focused on the current status of mercury (Hg) contamination in different ecological compartments in China, and their possible environmental and health impacts, focusing on some major cities. Mercury emission from non-ferrous metals smelting (especially zinc smelting), coal combustion and miscellaneous activities (of which battery and fluorescent lamp production and cement production are the largest), contributed about 45%, 38% and 17%, respectively, to the total Hg emission based on the data of 1999. Mercury contamination is widespread in different ecological compartments such as atmosphere, soil and water. There is evidence showing bioaccumulation and biomagnification of Hg in aquatic food chains, with higher concentrations detected in carnivorous fish. In terms of human exposure to Hg, fish consumption is the major exposure pathway for residents living in coastal cities such as Hong Kong, but inhalation may be another major source, affecting human health in areas with severe atmospheric Hg, such as Guiyang City (Guizhou Province). There is also increasing evidence showing that skin disorders and autism in Hong Kong children are related to their high Hg body loadings (hair, blood and urine), through prenatal methyl Hg exposure. There seems to be an urgent need to identify the sources of Hg,  More>>
Authors:
Zhang, L; Wong, M H [1] 
  1. Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong (China)
Publication Date:
Jan 15, 2007
Product Type:
Journal Article
Reference Number:
CLA-00:040275
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: Environment International; Journal Volume: 33; Journal Issue: 1
Subject:
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; MERCURY; CHINA; CONTAMINATION; POLLUTION SOURCES; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; HEALTH HAZARDS; URBAN AREAS; SMELTING; METALS; INDUSTRIAL PLANTS; COMBUSTION; COAL; AIR POLLUTION; SOILS; WATER POLLUTION; FISHES; BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION; FOOD; INHALATION; SKIN DISEASES; CHILDREN; MEN; WOMEN
OSTI ID:
20862313
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: ISSN 0160-4120; ENVIDV; TRN: 000400275
Submitting Site:
CLA
Size:
page(s) 108-121
Announcement Date:
Apr 30, 2007

Citation Formats

Zhang, L, and Wong, M H. Environmental mercury contamination in China: Sources and impacts. United Kingdom: N. p., 2007. Web. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2006.06.022.
Zhang, L, & Wong, M H. Environmental mercury contamination in China: Sources and impacts. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2006.06.022
Zhang, L, and Wong, M H. 2007. "Environmental mercury contamination in China: Sources and impacts." United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2006.06.022.
@misc{etde_20862313,
title = {Environmental mercury contamination in China: Sources and impacts}
author = {Zhang, L, and Wong, M H}
abstractNote = {This review article focused on the current status of mercury (Hg) contamination in different ecological compartments in China, and their possible environmental and health impacts, focusing on some major cities. Mercury emission from non-ferrous metals smelting (especially zinc smelting), coal combustion and miscellaneous activities (of which battery and fluorescent lamp production and cement production are the largest), contributed about 45%, 38% and 17%, respectively, to the total Hg emission based on the data of 1999. Mercury contamination is widespread in different ecological compartments such as atmosphere, soil and water. There is evidence showing bioaccumulation and biomagnification of Hg in aquatic food chains, with higher concentrations detected in carnivorous fish. In terms of human exposure to Hg, fish consumption is the major exposure pathway for residents living in coastal cities such as Hong Kong, but inhalation may be another major source, affecting human health in areas with severe atmospheric Hg, such as Guiyang City (Guizhou Province). There is also increasing evidence showing that skin disorders and autism in Hong Kong children are related to their high Hg body loadings (hair, blood and urine), through prenatal methyl Hg exposure. There seems to be an urgent need to identify the sources of Hg, speciation and concentrations in different ecological compartments, which may lead to high body loadings in human beings.}
doi = {10.1016/j.envint.2006.06.022}
journal = []
issue = {1}
volume = {33}
place = {United Kingdom}
year = {2007}
month = {Jan}
}