Reported August 2006

BACKGROUND: Chemists are using an unusual technique to detect mercury in your water -- gold nanorods, 2,000-times thinner than a human hair. The gold absorbs the mercury while the researchers monitor changes in the amount of light through a hand-held device called an optical spectrometer. This process can be used to create water filters and reclaim contaminated water.

HOW MERCURY GETS INTO WATER: Mercury is found in many rocks, including coal, which -- when burned -- releases mercury into the environment. Coal-burning power plants are the largest human-caused source of mercury emissions to the air in the United States, accounting for over 40 percent of all domestic human-caused mercury emissions. EPA has estimated about one quarter of U.S. emissions from coal-burning power plants are deposited within the United States. Burning hazardous wastes, producing chlorine, breaking mercury products, and spilling mercury, as well as the improper treatment and disposal of products or wastes containing mercury, can also release it into the environment. Current estimates are that less than half of all mercury within the United States comes from U.S. sources. Mercury in the air eventually settles into water or onto land where it can be washed into water.

TOXIC MERCURY: Also known as "quicksilver," mercury is heavy, silver-like metal, and one of five elements that are liquid at or near room temperature. Mercury is a neurotoxin, so it affects the central nervous system, causing personality changes, nervousness, trembling and in extreme cases, dementia. If mercury vapor is inhaled, as much as 80 percent of it may enter the bloodstream.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Eloy Hernández, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Optics
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
(407) 823-0843
florenzi@mail.ucf.edu

FACTOID...

The term "mad as a hatter" comes from the 19th century, because hat makers often suffered from severe mercury poisoning. They were exposed to mercury in the felting process, since mercury was rubbed onto the cloth to preserve it.

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