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Mercury Found In Hair Samples

Last updated on Monday, September 26, 2011

(UNDATED) - The Sierra Club says it has found mercury in the random hair samples of 38 different Hoosiers. The group has been lobbying for cutting emissions from power plants.

IU School of Environmental Health's Dr. James Klauning says mercury can be traced to many sources.

Dr. Klauning says there are three forms of mercury: metholated which in the most toxic, inorganic mercury and elemental mercury which is the quicksilver material found in thermometers.

Klauning says all three are toxic. Klauning says we're exposed to various forms of mercury all the time.

Sources include coal burning which involves breathing in soot from the air, seafood and even fluorescent lights which contain mercury gas. Klauning says mercury can also be found in preservatives found in over the counter nose sprays or some eye drop products.

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