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Mercury Pollution in Malaysia

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Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Part of the book series: Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ((RECT,volume 220))

Abstract

Mercury is a hazardous pollutant; concern for its environmental presence arises from the human health effects caused by methylmercury through consumption of fresh water and marine fish (Clarkson 1995). Researchers first became concerned about the harmful effects of mercury when anthropogenic sources were released into the marine environment, and caused poisoning episodes (e.g., neurological disorders) in Japan (Minamata and Niigata) (Keckes and Miettinen 1972). This first known human poisoning by mercury from ingestion of seafood occurred in Japan between 1953 and 1961. During that period, more than 100 people were affected by eating shellfish, crabs, and fish from Minamata Bay, Kyushu, Japan. The victims developed many serious neurological disturbances, and severe cases produced stupor, coma, exhibiting involuntary movements, tremors, agitation, and convulsions (Deocadiz et al. 1999).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Centre of Excellence for Food Safety Research (CEFSR), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, 43400 UPM, Malaysia

    Parvaneh Hajeb, S. Jinap & Nor Ainy Mahyudin

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, 43400 UPM, Malaysia

    Ahmad Ismail

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  1. Parvaneh Hajeb
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  2. S. Jinap
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  3. Ahmad Ismail
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  4. Nor Ainy Mahyudin
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Correspondence to S. Jinap .

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Hajeb, P., Jinap, S., Ismail, A., Mahyudin, N.A. (2012). Mercury Pollution in Malaysia. In: Whitacre, D. (eds) Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, vol 220. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3414-6_2

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