1 NPR: EPA's New Rules on Mercury Emissions
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1531927
2 NPR: New Technology to Scrub Mercury from Coal
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1531417
3 The American University Trade and Environment Database: Minamata Disaster
http://www.american.edu/TED/MINAMATA.HTM
4 EPA: Mercury
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/
5 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: Mercury
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/mercury.html
6 Environment Canada: Mercury and the Environment
http://www.ec.gc.ca/mercury/home.html
7 NIH: Mad as a Hatter
http://www.nih.gov/od/ors/ds/nomercury/

One of the most troublesome toxins released into the environment is mercury. Mercury is a neurotoxin capable of causing dementia and possible death in humans and other animals. Pregnant women and young children are at particular risk of eating fish from areas of significantly high mercury levels. As with any discussion of the environment, this one is wrought with differing viewpoints and conflicting opinions. This Topic in Depth examines the release of mercury into the environment, the history of mercury and humans, and current initiatives to deal with mercury.

The first link, (1) leads to a story from NPR that highlights the new rules put in place by the EPA to deal with mercury emissions. The second link (2), also from NPR, leads to a story that explains new methods for dealing with mercury from its source -- namely, smokestack scrubbing. Next, (3), this very informative piece from American University offers a historical look at the most famous mercury-related disaster yet: the widespread poisoning of the citizens of Minamata, Japan. The fourth link leads to a website maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency which is devoted to mercury (4). At the site, visitors will find information ranging from a general introduction to mercury to fish advisory information. A similar site is found next from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (5). Many northern, lake-filled states such as Minnesota are active in mercury-related research and regulation. Also similar is a site from Canada which highlights similar health-related issues, but also discusses the laws and regulations specific to Canada. (6). The final site is an interesting one from within the National Institutes of Health. While this site highlights a campaign to rid mercury within NIH itself, it also has a short description of the saying "mad as a hatter" and has several links to information on human health and mercury (7).