Mercury moves around the world in three key ways. First, it is actively traded as a global commodity, often for uses like artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the developing world, where substantial mercury releases into the environment are routine. Second, airborne mercury, from burning coal for instance, can travel great distances before being deposited in waterways. Mercury released in Asia, for example, can circle the globe and enter American lakes and rivers. Third, once mercury enters a waterway, the natural bacteria can absorb it and convert it to a more toxic form: methyl mercury. Methyl mercury then enters the food chain through fish -- and the fish we eat comes from all over the world. Stopping mercury pollution in the United States isn't enough to protect ourselves and future generations. Mercury pollution is a global problem that needs a global solution.
http://www.nrdc.org/international/ftoxic.asp
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