Druga gimnazija Sarajevo

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

Chemistry

ESSAY

THE MISUSE OF MERCURY

Word Count: 1078

Student: Teacher:

Amar Korajlić Stanislava Marjanović

I3 IB

18 February 2024

Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................................1

Main part...................................................................................................................................................1

Dangers of mercury in everyday life....................................................................................................1

Dangers with industrial use of mercury...............................................................................................2

Prevention and safety measures...........................................................................................................3

Problems and cons of the measures......................................................................................................3

Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................4

Bibliography..............................................................................................................................................5
Introduction

Mercury, a versatile chemical element found abundantly in nature, has since its discovery

been recognized for its use in medicine and sciences alike, but also, ironically for its toxicity and

dangers that come from its ingestion. It belongs to the 12th group and 6th period, and is known for

being one of two liquid elements at room temperature and the only metal. This property, coupled

with others, mainly its rapid, uniform volume expansion and excellent electrical conductivity

have given it many uses in a wide spectrum of devices in everyday life. However, in recent years

it has come to attention mainly for its negatives, its previously mentioned heavy toxicity and

issues with disposal. In this essay I will research more about these issues and the possible

solutions for such, as well as attempt to answer the question of: “How we can address the ever-

growing misuse of mercury and lessen its hostile effects on human health and the

environment?”12

Main part

Dangers of mercury in everyday life

Historically known as quicksilver, elemental mercury is a bright, silver metal that is, as

mentioned, liquid at room temperature. It's found in numerous electrical switches, fluorescent

lightbulbs, and primarily in thermometers. Elemental mercury breaks into smaller droplets upon

impact, allowing it to pass through tiny openings or form a strong connection with specific

materials. At slightly raised room temperature, when exposed, elemental mercury can evaporate

1
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Mercury | Chemical Element.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 21 Sept. 2018,
www.britannica.com/science/mercury-chemical-element. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

2
US EPA. “Basic Information about Mercury | US EPA.” US EPA, 17 May 2018, www.epa.gov/mercury/basic-
information-about-mercury. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

1
to become an invisible, odorless toxic gas, making its ingestion very hard to evade and

indescribably dangerous.

This most often happens when the products previously mentioned break and release the

mercury from the insides. Subsequent ingestion can lead to many dangerous symptoms like

tremors, insomnia, muscle atrophy, headaches and prolonged exposure can even lead to kidney

and respiratory failure and death.3

Dangers with industrial use of mercury

Besides the issue of accidental ingestion though, there is the other major issue with its

use, and it relates to its industrial emission. Namely, when released into the atmosphere and

watercourses, mercury poses an imminent threat to the environment. Both natural processes and

human activity contribute to the spread of mercury. Mercury emissions can occur naturally, as in

the case of volcanic eruptions and forest fires, but they are primarily caused by human activity.

The mercury found in air is mainly produced by the burning of coal, oil, and wood for

energy production as well as the burning of waste materials and consumer goods containing it.

Roughly 44% of all man-made mercury emissions in the world come from coal-fired power

plants alone. Mercury is also released into the environment via industrial operations like the

making of steel and cement, as well as by the use of specific technologies like the manufacturing

of chlorine. The reason why this is talked about as a bigger issue is that this is no accidental spill

that happens at home, the mercury released this way enters into the ecosystem directly, piles up

and kills off and poisons countless, unaware living beings in its proximity. 4

3
US EPA, OCSPP. “Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury.” US EPA, 3 Sept. 2015,
www.epa.gov/mercury/health-effects-exposures-mercury#metallic. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.
4
US EPA “Mercury Emissions: The Global Context | US EPA.” US EPA, 27 Feb. 2014,
www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/mercury-emissions-global-context. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

2
Prevention and safety measures

To deal with this, over the past 20 years, the EU has implemented extensive rules on

mercury usage that have successfully decreased exposure to this hazardous material and

protected the environment and human health. The European Union has limited the amount of

mercury released into the environment and reduced the hazards to consumers by prohibiting

products that contain mercury, including industrial applications, batteries, and thermometers, as

well as providing alternatives trough materials that act similarly. Additionally, specific actions to

limit the use of mercury in industrial processes and phase out the use of dental amalgam show a

commitment to moving toward safer substitutes. Moreover, by ensuring the environmentally

appropriate treatment of mercury waste, these restrictions help to prevent additional

contamination of the air, water, and soil. Significant progress toward a mercury-free future has

been made with the recent adjustment proposed in 2023, which highlights the EU's commitment

to lowering exposure to mercury and complying with sustainability goals.5

Problems and cons of the measures

However, even though the EU's mercury restrictions have significantly decreased

exposure to this dangerous element, there is still a variety of lingering problems. Difficulties with

enforcement and possible gaps in the legislation let imported products to continue exposing

people to mercury. Furthermore, the move away from mercury in some businesses present

financial difficulties and call for assistance for the impacted sectors, which often don’t often deal

with it legally but circle back to finding loopholes and use the mercury anyway. In addition, the

substitutes used in everyday life are very often more expensive, harder to get, and even lower

quality, leading to customers illegally returning to the use of original versions containing the
5
“Mercury.” Environment.ec.europa.eu, environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/chemicals/mercury_en. Accessed 18 Feb.
2024.

3
toxic element. In order to protect human health and the environment and make significant

progress toward a future free of mercury, it will be crucial to address these issues.6

Conclusion

In conclusion, this discussion has shed light on the complex issues surrounding the usage

and management of mercury. Mercury presents serious concerns that require immediate

response, from its widespread environmental contamination to its harmful impacts on human

health. However, advances have been achieved in lowering mercury exposure and lessening its

harmful effects because to thorough laws and aggressive actions, including those put in place by

the European Union. These rules, which range from limitations on goods containing mercury to

the gradual elimination of mercury thermometer use, show a dedication to sustainability and

public health. However, there are still obstacles to overcome, such as problems with

enforcement, shifting economic conditions, and guaranteeing fair access and higher quality

substitute resources. To tackle these obstacles, I believe that we need to stay alert, work together,

and be creative. We can work towards a future where mercury exposure is reduced and the

welfare of current and future generations is protected by putting the preservation of human health

and the environment first and adopting sustainable alternatives. We must never give up on

creating a world free from the dangers of mercury, one that is safer and healthier for all.

Bibliography

“International Mercury Regulations Fail to Protect the Environment, Public Health: Study.”

Mongabay Environmental News, 13 Apr. 2023, news.mongabay.com/2023/04/international-

6
“International Mercury Regulations Fail to Protect the Environment, Public Health: Study.” Mongabay
Environmental News, 13 Apr. 2023, news.mongabay.com/2023/04/international-mercury-regulations-fail-to-protect-
the-environment-public-health-study/ Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

4
mercury-regulations-fail-to-protect-the-environment-public-health-study/ Accessed 18 Feb.

2024.

“Mercury.” Environment.ec.europa.eu, environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/chemicals/mercury_en.

Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Mercury | Chemical Element.” Encyclopædia

Britannica, 21 Sept. 2018, www.britannica.com/science/mercury-chemical-element. Accessed 18

Feb. 2024

US EPA “Mercury Emissions: The Global Context | US EPA.” US EPA, 27 Feb. 2014,

www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/mercury-emissions-global-context. Accessed 18 Feb.

2024.

US EPA. “Basic Information about Mercury | US EPA.” US EPA, 17 May 2018,

www.epa.gov/mercury/basic-information-about-mercury. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

US EPA, OCSPP. “Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury.” US EPA, 3 Sept. 2015,

www.epa.gov/mercury/health-effects-exposures-mercury#metallic. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.