Vol. 5, Issue 10 (2016)

Author(s):
Sharma Pallavi, Singh Gurmeet

Abstract:
Mercury known as quick silver, it can be easily alloyed with many other metals, such as gold, silver and tin. It exists in several forms namely, organic mercury (ethyl mercury and methyl mercury), elemental mercury, and inorganic mercury (mercuric mercury) compounds. The most devastating tragedies related to mercury toxicity in recent history include Minamata Bay and Niagata, Japan in the 1950s, and Iraq in the 1970s. Recycling from atmospheric emission, deposition in water reservoirs and exposure and bioaccumulation in animals and humans is a known example of mercury cycle in the environment. Metal-induced carcinogenicity has been a research subject of great public health interest. Generally, carcinogenesis is considered to have three stages including initiation, promotion, and progression and metastasis. The impact of Hg exposure on endothelial cell physiology is well established; however, the limit of dietary-derived Hg needed to trigger cardiotoxic effects is still debatable. Diagnosis of mercury overload is difficult. Nanotechnology may help to decrease water pollution problems by removing microorganisms, pesticides, insecticides and heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc).