[NPMUG] Computer "E-Waste" story #3 - Mercury Poisoning

[Dave Sevick]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)  ( the following are  
excepts from the site .... )


Mercury (IPA: /ˈmɜrkjʊri/), also called quicksilver (/ 
ˈkwɪksɪlvər/)[1] or hydrargyrum (/haɪˈdrɑrdʒɨrəm/), is a  
chemical element with the symbol Hg (Latinized Greek: hydrargyrum,  
meaning watery or liquid silver) andatomic number 80. A heavy, silvery  
d-block metal, mercury is one of six elements that are liquid at or  
nearroom temperature and pressure.[2][3] The others are the elements  
caesium, francium, gallium, bromine, andrubidium. Of the metals, only  
mercury is liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure  
with themelting point of −38.83°C and the boiling point of  
356.73°C, making it one of the narrowest liquid range of any metals.  
Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, manometers,  
sphygmomanometers, float valves, and other scientific apparatus,  
though concerns about the element's toxicity have led to mercury  
thermometers and sphygmomanometers being largely phased out in  
clinical environments in favour ofalcohol-filled, digital, or  
thermistor-based instruments. It remains in use in a number of other  
ways in scientific and scientific research applications, and in  
amalgam material for dental restoration. Mercury is mostly obtained by  
reduction from the mineral cinnabar. Electricity is passed through  
mercury vapor to produce short-wave ultraviolet light which then  
causes the phosphor coated on the inside of the tube to fluoresce,  
making visible light.
Mercury occurs in deposits throughout the world. It is harmless in an  
insoluble form, such as mercuric sulfide[citation needed], but mercury  
poisoning can result from exposure to soluble forms (such as mercuric  
chloride or methylmercury), inhalation of mercury vapour, or eating  
fish contaminated with mercury.

Safety

See also: Mercury poisoning

Mercury and most of its compounds are extremely toxic and are  
generally handled with care; in cases of spills involving mercury  
(such as from certainthermometers or fluorescent light bulbs) specific  
cleaning procedures are used to avoid toxic exposure.[44] It can be  
inhaled and absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes, so  
containers of mercury are securely sealed to avoid spills and  
evaporation. Heating of mercury, or compounds of mercury that may  
decompose when heated, are always carried out with adequate  
ventilation in order to avoid exposure to mercury vapor. The most  
toxic forms of mercury are itsorganic compounds, such as  
dimethylmercury and methylmercury. Mercury can cause both chronic and  
acute poisoning. Amando Kapauan was among the first to look into the  
problem of mercury in the environment, and he designed the appropriate  
equipment for mercury analysis in water, fish, and soil.
[edit]Occupational exposure
Due to the health effects of mercury exposure, industrial and  
commercial uses are regulated in many countries. The World Health  
Organization, OSHA, and NIOSHall treat mercury as an occupational  
hazard, and have established specific occupational exposure limits.  
Environmental releases and disposal of mercury are regulated in the  
U.S. primarily by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Case control studies have shown effects such as tremors, impaired  
cognitive skills, and sleep disturbance in workers with chronic  
exposure to mercury vapour even at low concentrations in the range  
0.7–42 μg/m3.[45][46]
A study has shown that acute exposure (4–8 hours) to calculated  
elemental mercury levels of 1.1 to 44 mg/m3 resulted in chest pain,  
dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, impairment of pulmonary function, and  
evidence of interstitial pneumonitis.[47]
Acute exposure to mercury vapor has been shown to result in profound  
central nervous system effects, including psychotic reactions  
characterized by delirium, hallucinations, and suicidal tendency.  
Occupational exposure has resulted in broad-ranging functional  
disturbance, including erethism, irritability, excitability, excessive  
shyness, and insomnia. With continuing exposure, a fine tremor  
develops and may escalate to violent muscular spasms. Tremor initially  
involves the hands and later spreads to the eyelids, lips, and tongue.  
Long-term, low-level exposure has been associated with more subtle  
symptoms of erethism, including fatigue, irritability, loss of memory,  
vivid dreams, and depression.[48][49]



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Apple Recycling at Goodwill of Southwestern PA
Apple Outreach with Hosanna Industries
Apple User Groups from the Pittsburgh area
PGHMAC.COM website by Nathan Brentzel

Dave Sevick and Bob Donaldson
dave at davesevick.com - 724-779-0099
radonaldson at mac.com - 412-477-9188
-----
Peter Carras and Marty Swartz
pcarras+PAUGC1 at pitt.edu - 724-327-5870
marty.swartz at gmail.com - 412-818-8096

As  Apple users in Pittsburgh, we are taking local action
to keep the environment free from e-waste .....
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