Vaccination News Home Page

http://www.psr.org/eupdate1002.html#_Toxics_&_Safe

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed legislation to phase out the sale of mercury thermometers, except by prescription. The Mercury Reduction Act of 2002 authorizes 20 million dollars in funds for a grant program to states and other appropriate parties for collection of mercury thermometers and a thermometer exchange program. In addition, the bill creates a Federal interagency task force to make recommendations regarding the proper management of surplus mercury, and authorizes EPA to spend one million dollars annually to manage these materials.

Previously, nine states had banned mercury thermometer sales, and many large retailers had voluntarily phased out sales nationwide. The federal legislation, which was sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Some 150 chemical experts from around the world have called for international action to address the threat to human health and the environment caused by exposure to mercury. Possible options range from establishing a nonbinding global action program on mercury, to beginning negotiations toward a legally binding international treaty to restrict mercury use.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) convened the expert group in September to discuss evidence of global adverse impacts from mercury and possible international actions to reduce the risks. UNEP’s Governing Council will review the group’s list of options next February.

According to UNEP, an estimated 5,000-10,000 tons of mercury are thought to enter the global environment each year. As much as 75 percent may originate from human activities, with coal-fired power plants and municipal and medical waste incinerators among the major sources.

• Maternal exposure to organic mercury can lead to the following symptoms in the fetus:

• brain damage • mental retardation • poor coordination • speech difficulties

• Even a low exposure of mercury in fetuses can lead to impaired:

• motor skills • learning capacity • memory

• Chronic exposure in adults to organic and inorganic mercury can permanently damage the

brain and kidneys and chronic exposure to metallic mercury may affect the brain and result

in personality changes, tremors, vision problems, poor muscle coordination, and memory

loss.

• The EPA has classified methylmercury and mercuric chloride as possible human

carcinogens.

Vaccination News Home Page

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.