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Articles on Mercury (pollution)

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Most of the world’s electronics are not recycled, posing health and environmental risks. catscandotcom/Getty Images

Consumer electronics have changed a lot in 20 years – systems for managing e-waste aren’t keeping up

Technical advances are reducing the volume of e-waste generated in the US as lighter, more compact products enter the market. But those goods can be harder to reuse and recycle.
Industrial activities like mining, fossil fuel combustion, and cement production release mercury into the environment. Shutterstock

Plants safely store toxic mercury. Bushfires and climate change bring it back into our environment

Plants can store mercury and keep it from contaminating waterways, air and soils. Unfortunately, that mercury is released when plants burn.
Researchers collect samples from the abandoned tailings that flow into Long Lake, near Sudbury, Ont. John Gunn

Cleaning up abandoned mines means we all pay the price

Bankrupt oil and gas companies must clean up old wells, yet taxpayers are still stuck with the bill for abandoned mines.
A baby plays with blocks spelling out one of the most famous formulas in history. vchal/From www.shutterstock.com

Is lead in the US food supply decreasing our IQ?

A new report from the Environmental Defense Fund raises concerns about lead in our food supply. Here are some things you should consider.
The biggest source of mercury in the U.S. continues to be coal power plants. booleansplit/flickr

Are tighter EPA controls on mercury pollution worth it?

Politicians rail against the EPA, but economic analysis shows the health benefits of mercury controls – including both higher IQ and heart health – are worth billions of dollars a year.

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