Environmental Impact of Mercury and Forest Fires and Factory Fire

Abstract

Fires can cause serious damage when widespread. This study focuses on two types of fires, forest and factory fires, and investigates how toxic substances released affect the environment. Forest fires, caused by anthropogenic factors such as arson and natural factors such as lightning strikes, are widespread and severely damage ecosystems. Factory fires, caused by malfunctioning electrical equipment, mishandling of chemicals, or carelessness with fire, cause serious damage to the neighborhoods and environment. In addition, fires may release chemical substances present in factories. Mercury release is a common phenomenon in both fires. Fires burn mercury-containing vegetation and organic matter, thereby releasing mercury into the atmosphere. The released mercury is deposited in the soil, rivers, and other water bodies, accumulates in ecosystems (bioaccumulation), and moves up the food chain to higher organisms. Mercury poisoning can adversely affect the nervous and immune systems, causing developmental problems and impaired learning abilities, particularly in fetuses and young children. To reduce the damage caused owing to mercury release, fire prevention, early response, prevention of mercury spillage, and the proper management and storage of mercury are important. Currently, the international community has started working on the proper handling of mercury among nations by concluding the Minamata Convention.