Prevention
Mercury poisoning can be prevented (or minimized) by eliminating or reducing exposure to mercury and mercury compounds. To that end, many governments and private groups have made efforts to regulate heavily the use of mercury, or to issue advisories about its use. For example, the export from the European Union of mercury and some mercury compounds has been prohibited since 2010-03-15. The variability among regulations and advisories is at times confusing for the lay person as well as scientists.
| Country | Regulating agency | Regulated activity | Medium | Type of mercury compound | Type of limit | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | Occupational Safety and Health Administration | occupational exposure | air | elemental mercury | Ceiling (not to exceed) | 0.1 mg/m³ |
| US | Occupational Safety and Health Administration | occupational exposure | air | organic mercury | Ceiling (not to exceed) | 0.05 mg/m³ |
| US | Food and Drug Administration | eating | sea food | methylmercury | Maximum allowable concentration | 1 ppm (1 mg/L) |
| US | Environmental Protection Agency | drinking | water | inorganic mercury | Maximum contaminant level | 2 ppb (0.002 mg/L) |
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued recommendations in 2004 regarding exposure to mercury in fish and shellfish. The EPA also developed the "Fish Kids" awareness campaign for children and young adults on account of the greater impact of mercury exposure to that population.
Read more about this topic: Mercury Toxicity
Famous quotes containing the word prevention:
“... if this world were anything near what it should be there would be no more need of a Book Week than there would be a of a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.”
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967)