Mercury contamination in our waterways, especially as a
by-product from coal power plants, has emerged today as a serious
health risk, and may become even more dangerous for future
generations.
Mercury is a dangerous pollutant that has been shown to be most
detrimental to the developing neurological systems of children and
fetuses. President Bush’s administration, however, is not
supporting stringent regulations on mercury and is even considering
allowing power plants to emit more mercury pollution than current
laws would permit.
Under intense pressure from the White House, the Environmental
Protection Agency is being forced to rescind earlier established
regulations and reclassify mercury from a toxic chemical to a
non-toxic pollutant.
In 2000, the EPA had proposed new regulations for limiting
mercury pollution. Rather than support the suggested public health
and safety measures, the White House is proposing that big-time
polluters be allowed to emit more mercury pollution over the next
decade.
As the biggest mercury polluter, coal-fired power plants release
the toxin into the air, allowing it to work its way into rivers,
streams and lakes. This continuous mercury pollution leads to
mercury accumulation in fish, especially large predatory fish such
as tuna. The high levels of mercury present a major health risk to
consumers.
In adults, mercury tainted tuna can lead to a number of
problems, including infertility. The current levels of mercury in
tuna are so high that women of child-bearing age are advised not to
consume more than one can a month, while small children should not
eat more than one can every three months.
Children and fetuses are the most at risk. Mercury is extremely
destructive in neurological systems that are not yet fully
developed. According to Elizabeth Shogren’s article on Feb. 6
in the Los Angeles Times, “Estimate of Fetuses Exposed to
High Mercury Doubles,” the number of babies at risk of
dangerous levels of mercury each year is actually twice as high as
originally stated by the EPA. New information has shown that one
out of every six children is born with high levels of mercury.
It was previously believed that the concentration of mercury
consumed by the mother would directly correlate with that which is
incorporated in the placental blood that fetuses receive. However,
evidence now suggests that there is a considerably greater amount
of mercury in the fetus blood than expected, perhaps even 1.7 times
more.
Unless new regulations are implemented, of the nearly 4 million
babies born each year, 630,000 will continue to be born with
dangerously high levels of mercury.
Fetuses and small children are susceptible to many types of
brain damage due to mercury-tainted seafood consumption. Ranging
from problems with memory, attention span, vision and information
processing, mercury is ultimately debilitating and sometimes
deadly. Any small amount introduced into an adolescent’s
developing central nervous system and brain will lead to
irreversible defects.
Politicians and students alike are actively working to support
the initial EPA suggestions for increased mercury regulations.
Rather than allowing polluters to continue using inefficient and
defective methods and technology, the EPA had originally called for
the immediate use of the latest pollution-free technology.
Currently, these new measure are not being implemented.
Mercury is a major public health issue and a social concern that
must be addressed immediately. If people don’t fight the
latest mercury regulation rollbacks now, when will the compromise
of our children’s health, minds and futures stop?
Johnston is a first-year political science and philosophy
student and a member of CALPIRG.