Celebrating World Health Day with its theme of “Make Every Mother and Child Count” would be empty sloganeering if despite growing global consensus of medical opinion that even moderate doses of mercury can damage the human brain, especially during the infant and foetal stages, Indian industry and the government remains callous towards industries like chlor alkali, health care and thermal power plants.

It is now acknowledged that the foetal brain is so sensitive that even low-level exposures can have an effect and high mercury levels pose serious risks for foetal, infant, and young children's neurological development.

At a National Workshop on "Managing the Demand Cycle of Mercury: Indian and International Perspectives" on 6-7 April 2005 at Gulmohar Hall of the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, experts from all walks of life urged the government to take immediate action by making the usage of elemental mercury and mercury compounds expensive and provide incentives for mercury alternatives.

Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring, highly volatile heavy metal. All forms of mercury are not the same. Mercury can exist in the environment in elemental, organic or inorganic forms. Being an element, mercury never breaks down but persists in the environment cycling through land, air and water. Mercury is a heavy metal (Hg). Elemental mercury is an odourless silver-white liquid metal. Mercury used in many forms, like: Mercury Sulphide, Mercuric Oxide, Mercury Chloride etc. Even at extremely low levels of exposure, it can cause permanent damage to the human central nervous system.

According to the International Chemical Safety Council of United Nations, an organic form of mercury – methyl mercury is one of the six most serious pollution threats to the planet. Elemental mercury is the familiar mercury metal, which is used in thermometers, barometers, some electrical switches and other applications. It can exist both as a vapour and a solid at room temperature.

The addition of even 0.9 grams of mercury, i.e. one miniscule fraction (1/70th) of a teaspoon – is enough to contaminate a 25-acre lake, and rendering fish contaminated and unsafe to eat. At higher levels mercury can damage vital organs such as lungs and kidneys. Common exposures are through food and the diet; additional exposure may occur through air and water.

There was a huge demand for the liability of the concerned industries in dealing with its health impact from mercury and decontamination of the polluted sites. Mercury levels are extremely high in the working environments of industrial processes such as chlor-alkali plants.

Mercury is suspected to be a major cause for autism epidemic and other mercury related disorders but the Government has far not taken cognisance of it. The prevalence of mercury related disorders have risen over the years. The number of children affected by attention deficit hyperactive disorder and speech delays has also skyrocketed.

In such a context, when B Sengupta, Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board called for the preparation of inventory of industries such as chlor alkali, lamp, health care and thermal power plants besides schools and colleges, it seemed to be logical first step in the right direction.

Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that is converted by bacteria in waterways into its most toxic form, methyl mercury. Swordfish, tuna and many other commonly eaten fresh- and salt-water fish are unsafe to eat for pregnant women, women who may become pregnant and young children because of mercury contamination. Dental amalgam, a common material for filling cavities, is made up of about 50 percent mercury by weight. Besides use of dental amalgam or removal of old fillings, thermometers, Spygnomanometer etc can result in significant quantities of mercury being released from hospitals either down the drain or through solid waste, contributing to the build up of this toxic heavy metal in the environment. “Mercury is also used in considerable amount in educational institutions and laboratories where the toxic effect is almost unknown to the users,” said Sasanka Dev of DISHA, a Kolkata based voluntary organization.

The five super thermal power plants in the Singrauli area, which supply 10 per cent of India’s power, are responsible for 16.85 percent or 10 tonnes per annum of total mercury pollution through power generation. “A typical 100-megawatt thermal power plant can emit over 10 kg of mercury in a single year. About 200 metric tonnes of toxic mercury escapes from industrial chimneys and effluents each year in India, said Anil Gautam, People’s Science Institute (PSI), a Dehra Doon based research organisation.

Dispersion of mercury, an extremely toxic heavy metal into the environment is a major concern in India in particular and the world in general. India is one of the main hot spots for global and local contamination of mercury. As per a study by PSI, mercury and other toxic chemicals are lying in the Union Carbide Plant (now Dow Chemicals) in Bhopal and its leaching into the ground water with rainwater.

Although economically viable non-mercury containing substitutes for almost all current applications are available, it continues to be used with exemplary callousness towards the adverse impact on public health and environment. Reports indicate that levels of mercury in rivers; coastal waters, soil and food items are way above acceptable levels in India. India imports mercury from European Union, USA, Russia, China etc. Of the stated global demand of mercury of about 3,000 tonnes, India emerges as the single second largest consumer, approximately 250-300 tonnes annually.

The symptoms of mercury poisoning are varied and can mimic other illnesses. Many of the symptoms take a number of weeks, or even months, to appear. Victims of mercury exposure have a degeneration of their nervous system. Numbness occurs in their limbs and lips. Their speech becomes slurred, and their vision gets constricted. They suffer serious brain damage, while others lapse into unconsciousness or suffer from involuntary movements.

Given such alarming consequences there is an urgent need for the Government to undertake impact mapping, promote alternatives of mercury and do not allow India to become a dumping ground for surplus mercury and wastes.