Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in air, water, and soil, but human activities, such as coal combustion, mining, and industrial processes, significantly increase its presence in the environment. Mercury is highly toxic, with the ability to bioaccumulate in organisms, leading to harmful effects on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems. In toxicology, mercury's impact on human health and the environment is a major area of study, particularly concerning methylmercury, its most toxic form.
