Abstract

Amartya Khan Chand and Chandra Tilak Patel*

Heavy metal pollution in environment is of great concern because of their accumulative and persistent nature. Among different heavy metals, Hg does not play any essential role in the body of living beings but after methylation, it acquires very dangerous form which is known as MeHg. Hg in air is within the limits and not harmful but in water and fishes the concentration of THg and MeHg content exceeds or is close to permissible limits. Water and food is the main source of Hg accumulation in human beings. Both Hg and MeHg have deleterious effects on all living beings. However, at some places around the world, efforts have been made to reduce the Hg concentrations which resulted in substantial improvements. Therefore the purpose of this review is to highlight different concentrations of Hg in the environment.