×

Error message

  • The specified file temporary://fileFcRIM2 could not be copied, because the destination directory is not properly configured. This may be caused by a problem with file or directory permissions. More information is available in the system log.
  • The specified file temporary://fileUvFyQT could not be copied, because the destination directory is not properly configured. This may be caused by a problem with file or directory permissions. More information is available in the system log.
  • The specified file temporary://filew7wba4 could not be copied, because the destination directory is not properly configured. This may be caused by a problem with file or directory permissions. More information is available in the system log.
  • The specified file temporary://fileJH3lLp could not be copied, because the destination directory is not properly configured. This may be caused by a problem with file or directory permissions. More information is available in the system log.
  • The specified file temporary://fileS2AsyU could not be copied, because the destination directory is not properly configured. This may be caused by a problem with file or directory permissions. More information is available in the system log.

News Brief

Mercury Exposure Reduces Earning Potential

by Jessica Boehland

Decreased intelligence caused by fetal exposure to mercury costs the U.S. economy $8.7 billion each year in lost productivity, according to a study published in

Environmental Health Perspectives. About 15% of that cost burden can be attributed to the emissions of coal-fired power plants, according to the study, which was performed by pediatricians at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. A 1.6-point drop in an individual’s IQ leads to $31,800 in lost revenue over the course of that person’s life, according to the report. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 8% of American women of childbearing age have enough mercury in their blood to threaten the health of a fetus.

Published April 1, 2005

Boehland, J. (2005, April 1). Mercury Exposure Reduces Earning Potential. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/newsbrief/mercury-exposure-reduces-earning-potential

Add new comment

To post a comment, you need to register for a BuildingGreen Basic membership (free) or login to your existing profile.

Volume 14, Issue 4

Also on BuildingGreen