National Mercury Testing Program
The Rise of Mercury Pollution its way into our lakes and rivers. Once in the water, toxic mercury is absorbed through the fat and muscle tissue of There is growing concern and scientific evidence that many animals like fish. Americans are being exposed to harmful levels of mercury pollution. However, the Bush administration is failing to Most people are exposed to mercury by consuming the polluted protect Americans from this dangerous toxin. Instead, the fish. As a result, federal and state governments warn people to administration has proposed to delay for 10 to 20 years and limit the consumption of certain species of fish and fish caught weaken the first national law that would clean up mercury from in waters that are contaminated with mercury. power plants, the single largest source of mercury in the country. This is in stark contrast from what was originally People that work in industries that regularly handle mercury proposed and what is achievable now, even by the (dentistry, thermometer production) or deal with high level of Environmental Protection Agencys own previous analysis: a mercury emissions (electricity generation primarily through coal, chlorine production through chlor-akali facilities, 90 percent reduction in mercury pollution by 2008. insecticides, etc.) are also at an increased risk for exposure to mercury pollution. What is Mercury and Who is Affected by Mercury Pollution? The Food and Drug Administration is charged with the protection of the public from mercury in store-bought fish. Mercury is a neurotoxin that is most often seen as a by-product Unfortunately their recommendations are vague and provide from industrial processes like power plants, incinerators and insufficient information to the public. Their most recent chemical factories. Emissions from dirty energy sources like advisory suggests that as a matter of prudence, women might coal-fired power plants account for the largest single source of wish to modify the amount and type of fish they consume if mercury emissions in the United States approximately 42 they are planning to become pregnant, pregnant, nursing, or percent. feeding a young child.
Elevated levels of mercury are harmful to everyone and women What is the Solution? of childbearing age are especially at risk because the unborn and very young are especially vulnerable to mercury Efforts to reduce mercury pollution from power plants are not contamination. Mercury adversely affects fetal development of enough. To achieve a sustainable future, we must switch to the brain and central nervous system and infants are further clean energy now. Renewable energy utilizes the unlimited exposed to mercury from their mothers breast milk. Exposures power of the wind, sun and other sources to create power at these early stages are particularly dangerous and can affect without pollution. Clean energy technology is readily available the development of memory, attention and language. in cost-effective forms, and is the only certain path toward achieving a healthy, safe future. According to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Disease Control, one in six (around 630,000) Unfortunately, the Bush administration is still relying on American children are born with potentially unsafe levels of outdated forms of energy that produce pollution such as mercury in their blood. mercury. As a result, a coalition of concerned groups is calling for a new energy initiative that would invest in renewable How are People Exposed to Mercury? energy innovation and increased efficiency. If accomplished, the Apollo Project would create over three million jobs, When mercury is produced, it is released and absorbed into the reduce our dependence on foreign oil and save billions of atmosphere and then falls to the Earth in rain and snow, making taxpayer dollars. Fish that are low in mercury and can be eaten by women of child-bearing years: Salmon (wild), Blue crab (mid-Atlantic), Croaker, Fish Sticks, Flounder (summer), Haddock, Trout (farmed) and Shrimp* Fish that should not be eaten: Shark, Tuna (canned albacore and steaks) Swordfish, King mackerel, Tilefish, Sea bass, Marlin, Halibut, Pike, Walleye, White croaker and Largemouth bass Fish that should be avoided (eaten no more than once a month): Tuna (canned light), Mahi mahi, Cod, Pollock, Great Lakes salmon, Gulf Coast blue crab, Channel catfish (wild) and Lake whitefish
Source: Environmental Working Group * Shrimp fishing and farming practices have raised environmental concerns.
Greenpeace Hair Sampling Program for interested in women of childbearing age. Participants will Mercury receive a sampling kit in the mail which will include a questionnaire, instructions, and consent form. Individual results will remain confidential between the participant and Greenpeace is initiating a research study that will be conducted EQI. by the Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) at the University of North Carolina-Asheville during the summer and fall of 2004. This study seeks to ascertain the levels of mercury in peoples bodies across the United States through the analysis of hair samples. The specific purpose of this study is to determine Persons that are interested in being tested for mercury or whether mercury exposure levels in the United States are have questions about the program should fill out the exceeding standards set to protect public health. following form or contact us at: [email protected] There is a small fee associated with this sampling project. Everyone is eligible to participate but Greenpeace is especially
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Email Address: Please return to: Greenpeace Mercury Testing 702 H Street, NW or call 800.326.0959 Washington, DC 20001