Protecting Ourselves from Mercury

Created by:Mercury-Free Minnesotawww.mercuryfreeminnesota.org

BE SAFE MNwww.besafenet.com

Preventing Harm MNwww.preventingharmminnesota.org

What is Mercury?• Known as

quicksilver• A naturally occurring

element in oceans, rocks & soils

• Liquid at room temperature

• Used in a variety of products

• Toxic & persistent in the environment

                                        

  

What are the sources of Mercury pollution in MN?

• Energy 51%• Taconite processing

21%• Purposeful use 28%

– Municipal solid waste combustion 5%

– Volatilization of disposed products 7%

– Smelters that recycle cars, appliances 5%

•Coal fired Power plants 46%

Trends in Minnesota Mercury Emissions1990-2000

Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency March 2004

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

1990 1995 2000YEAR

Purposeful use

Material Processing

Energy

Pounds

Mercury Products

• Fluorescent & high intensity discharge lamps• Thermostats & switches• Thermometers• Steam irons with 15-minute automatic shut-off • Dental amalgam• Old alkaline batteries, some button batteries• Old latex paints (pre 1990) & some oil based

paints

Number one source of mercury exposure for humans is fish

consumption.

Bioaccumulation

• Mercury is deposited in lakes where bacteria convert it to toxic methylmercury (MeHg)

• MeHg is taken up by tiny animals and plankton

• MeHg then accumulates in the tissues of fish and other organisms

• Wildlife like eagles, osprey, loons, turtles, mink, otters and other fish-eaters are also affected

• All Minnesota waters contaminated.

Who is at the top of the food chain?Who is at the top of the food chain?

Problem with Methylmercury

• Potent neurotoxin.

• Like lead, mercury effects are being detected at lower and lower levels.

• MeHg passes through the placenta to the developing fetus and is also passed on to nursing infants in breast milk.(Breastfeeding is still best for babies.)

Newborns at Risk Per new EPA estimates:Per new EPA estimates:• 1 in 6 U.S. women has

mercury body burden that could put her baby at risk for adverse effects on development

• could affect an estimated 630,000 newborns a year

Fish are Healthy

• Source of protein, vitamin D & omega-3 fatty acids

• Essential for fetal and infant brain development

• Contribute to heart and mental health

Don’t stop eating fish!Don’t stop eating fish!

What can we do?

BE SAFE-Heed Early Warnings

-Put Safety First -Choose the Safest Solutions

-Exercise Democracy

Heed Early Warning Signs

• Testing by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shows that mercury is present in 100% of lakes and fish tested.

• Mercury is a known neurotoxin and rates of children with learning disabilities are on the rise.

• There should be more public awareness about the risks of eating certain fish and more efforts to eliminate the contamination.

Put Safety First• “Public health policy that asks expectant

mothers to give up certain foods while allowing industries to continue contaminating them is absurd.”

Sandra Steingraber – “Having Faith:

An Ecologists Journey to Motherhood”

Choose the Safest Solutions

• Clean Energy

• Mercury Free Products

Smart Fish Choices• Follow these guidelines:

– Eat smaller fish, panfish

rather than predator fish– Consider total fish consumption– Limit intake of some fish for

pregnant/nursing women and young children.

– Trimming fat and cooking will not reduce mercury in fish.

What about canned tuna?• Canned “white albacore” has 3-4 times

more mercury than “chunk light”• Women of childbearing age can eat 8

oz a week of canned “chunk light”• Younger children can eat about ½ can

of chunk light tuna per week.• Women of childbearing age kids under

15 should limit canned “white albacore” tuna to once a month

IATP’s Smart Fish Calculator

• Tool to estimate “safe” consumption level per EPA guidelines

• Go to www.iatp.org/foodandhealth

Reduce your Use

• Conserve energy to reduce electricity demand• Replace mercury thermometers with digital

ones• Purchase mercury-free thermostats, switches• Use mercury free batteries• Ask your dentist for non-mercury amalgams• Dispose of all mercury products as hazardous

waste, find information for your county at www.moea.state.mn.us/hhw/programs.cfm

Buy Wind Power

• Replace fossil-fuel based energy with renewable sources like solar & wind

• Support renewable energy by choosing wind power from your local utility

Exercise Democracy

• Tell the MN Pollution Control Agency to protect us from mercury.

• Tell the FDA to issue adequate mercury warnings.

• Vote!

Federal Laws and Regulations on Mercury Pollution

• Current administration proposals delay significant mercury reductions for 10 years.– Clean Air Act - 90% reduction by 2008– Clear Skies Initiative - 69% reduction by

2018• Proposed MACT rules for coal plants align

with Clear Skies and allow 7X Hg pollution of Clean Air Act

Support Local Initiatives

www.mercuryfreemn.org

www.besafenet.com

www.preventingharmminnesota.org

We must prevent mercury pollutionWe must prevent mercury pollution

to protect our children!to protect our children!