Reduce Mercury Exposure
Many adverse health effects are associated with the accumulation of mercury in the body. Methylmercury, the most common form of mercury to which people are exposed through consumption of contaminated fish, is a very potent neurotoxin that interferes with brain development. Children who are prenatally exposed to low concentrations of methylmercury are at increased risk of poor performance on neurobehavioral tests, including those measuring attention, fine motor function, language skills, and verbal memory (Grandjean et al., 1997; Kjellstrom, Kennedy, Wallis, & Mantell, 1986). A number of studies have linked exposure to methylmercury with impacts to the cardiovascular system (Virtanen et al., 2005; Sorensen et al., 1999). In Oregon there are currently fish consumption advisories for 12 bodies of water, including the entire main stem of the Willamette River, due to mercury contamination. The following policies would reduce mercury exposures in Oregon:
- Eliminate the use and sale of mercury-containing products. Oregon has begun to address the problem of mercury emissions through the Mercury Reduction Act of 2001, which has phased out use and sale of certain mercury-containing products such as fever thermometers, auto switches and novelty products. Although mercury-containing thermostats can still be sold under this legislation, they cannot be installed by contractors.
- Reduce mercury emissions from power plants. Oregon has adopted a Utility Mercury Rule that limits mercury emissions for new plants and mandates installation of mercury control technology for Oregon’s only existing coal-fired power plant. The rule requires that the power plant achieve a 90% reduction in mercury emissions by 2012. If the 90% reduction is not technologically achievable, the coal-fired power plant must install continuous mercury monitoring equipment by 2008 and develop a mercury reduction plan. In the long-term, coal burning should be replaced with conservation and cleaner energy production.
- Reduce mercury emissions from manufacturing facilities. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in partnership with the Ash Grove Cement plant and local community and environmental organizations, have completed a plan to reduce mercury emission through the installation of control equipment. The mercury reduction effort is a voluntary effort specific only to Ash Grove as it is the only cement manufacturing plant in Oregon. To avoid excessive mercury pollution, the state should require that all facility retrofits and every new facility constructed in Oregon use the best available technology.
- Health care facilities, including hospitals and dental offices, should phase out mercury-containing products in favor of safer alternatives. Policies are needed to encourage health care facilities to eliminate the use of mercury in health care practices to ensure that no mercury enters the environment from dental and medical offices.
- Expand and develop programs to safely collect and recycle mercury containing products. Government agencies need to expand and create programs to remove, collect, and safely store mercury from thermostats, thermometers, auto switches, and fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). The rising popularity of energy-efficient CFLs makes necessary the quick implementation of an effective recycling program to avoid the accumulation of CFLs in our solid waste management systems.
- Develop scientifically based fish-consumption guidelines. The amount of fish eaten varies geographically and among different populations. Data demonstrate that some populations in Oregon consume more fish than the current EPA reference dose (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000). Oregon DEQ—in partnership with the EPA, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and other community members—is in the process of reviewing Oregon fish consumption rates to determine appropriate fish consumption guidelines. Oregon needs to adopt appropriate, regional guidelines for fish consumption that protect at risk populations from eating contaminated seafood and fish from local and commercial sources. Vigorous outreach programs must be implemented to ensure that Oregonians know about or can easily access these resources.
