Can Mercury Hurt the Environment?
Mercury is a natural element. This means that it is a natural part of the environment and can be found in soil, air, water, and living animals. The amount of mercury that is normally found in the environment is very, very small and will not hurt us. But, if there are large amounts of mercury in the environment, then it can be dangerous. Large amounts of mercury are sometimes found at Superfund sites. Superfund sites are areas that are polluted with hazardous waste that can be harmful to humans and the environment. Mercury can come from batteries, paints, and other wastes that may have been carelessly thrown away or spilled on the ground. If there is a lot of mercury in the environment it could pollute the air, water, and soil. It could also contaminate the fish that we eat. The Environmental Protection Agency is working to clean up Superfund sites and to make sure that mercury waste doesn’t hurt people or the environment.
