Gold Rush-Era Mercury Infiltrating America’s Food Basket

Mercury taint from the Gold Rush has been found in the food supply in the San Francisco area, but the contamination in the Yuba fan is hundreds of times greater. Scientists believe trees do not absorb mercury so fruits and nuts may be safe, although that has not been tested. There is evidence, however, that rice may be vulnerable.
Mercury contamination from gold mining is a worldwide problem. Two years ago, scientists discovered that gold mining in the Amazon had already contaminated the food supply in the Madre de Dios area of Peru, in that case from burning off the mercury in the amalgam.
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