Past, Present, and Future of Mercury Pollution Issues

In this chapter, countermeasures and solutions to methylmercury poisoning (MPM) and current and outstanding issues on the mercury pollution are discussed. Correct information and data, public access to information, establishment of company ethics, rapid response by governments, societal responsibility, and penalties on responsible organizations are necessary for preventing the similar kind of pollution and human hazard. Recent studies which show the relationship between the anthropogenic emissions of mercury and the risk to human health, especially to fetuses and infants, are summarized. Finally, outstanding issues on MPM that are in connection with the global mercury cycle are discussed.