Mercury is
a potent neurotoxin that increases the risk of brain damage
and learning disabilities, and is especially dangerous
to developing fetuses and young children. Mercury pollution
is released into the air by coal-fired power plants and
other sources. It then falls to the ground and gathers
in streams, lakes and oceans, where it can contaminate
the bodies of fish. Mercury levels build up in some fish
more than others.
Women who are
pregnant, women who intend to become pregnant in the future
and nursing mothers should limit their consumption of
fish with high levels of mercury. Parents of young children
should also take steps to limit their children's exposure
to mercury in fish.
Of course,
Pennsylvanians should not be forced to limit their diets
just to appease big polluters; mercury can and should
be cleaned up at its source. Mercury emissions from power
plants can be reduced by as much as 90% with modern pollution
control devices. Pollution from other sources can also
be prevented.
More
Information on Mercury
Fact
Sheet
Mercury
and Public Health
The basics
on health consequences related to mercury consumption
Reports
Pennsylvania's Killer Catch
Clean
Air Council's investigation of mercury in Pennsylvania's waterways
Mercury in the Mid-Atlantic: 2005 Mid-Atlantic Report Card (National
Wildlife Federation, January 2005)
Assessment
of the mercury problem in the Mid-Atlantic region evaluated
on a state-by-state basis
Fishing for
Trouble: How Toxic Mercury Contaminates Fish in U.S. Waterways
(Clear the Air, October 2004)
A
comprehensive resource on the effects of mercury pollution
on the nation's fish and how it has affected almost all
the states in the nation
Mercury
and Learning Disabilities: A Parent’s Guide
For
parents who want to learn more about the link between
mercury and learning disabilities and how to lower your
child's risk of exposure to mercury
Press
Releases & Statements
August 19,
2004-Mercury
in Fish a SignificantHealth Risk to Pregnant Women and
Children
Women advised
to limit consumption of certain types of fish
August 3, 2004-Clean
Air Council Press Statement on “Reel Danger”
Report Concerning Mercury Levels in Fish-Michael Fiorentino,
Esq.
"Reel
Danger" examines data from EPA’s National Study
of Chemical Residue in Lake Fish Tissue and the fact that
86% of fish caught in Pennsylvania
lakes exceed current “safe” levels of mercury
April 30, 2004-Local
Citizens Call on EPA to Issue Strong Mercury Protections
Over 3,250
Households in Southeastern PA Submit Comments to EPA Urging
a Reduction in Toxic Power Plant Emissions
February
25, 2004-Diverse
Mid-Atlantic Groups Denounce Bush’s Proposed Mercury
Rule at EPA Hearing
Press conference
held to reveal new costs of inaction, further EPA collusion
with industry, and new report highlighting state-specific
dangers of mercury
January 30,
2004-Bush
Mercury Pollution Proposal Threatens Pennsylvania Public
Health, Fish and Wildlife
Bush administration
rolling back standards for toxic mercury emissions from
coal fired power plants
December 4,
2003-New
Study: Pennsylvania Third Worst in Nation for Toxic Power
Plant Pollution
Coal-fired
plants are nation's worst source of toxic mercury; technology
exists today to drastically cut emissions
June 19, 2003-Canned
Tuna More Dangerous Than Previously Suspected
Pregnant women
and young children warned not to eat "white"
albacore tuna due to high mercury levels.
EPA,
Health and DEP safety warnings
Fish Consumption Advisories
Pennsylvania DEP Issues Statewide Fish-Consumption
Advisory
