Clean air group hosts 'men only' fish fry picnic

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http://www.freep.com/news/locoak/emerc6_20030606.htm

Activists attempt to raise awareness of dangers of mercury

June 6, 2003

BY HUGH MCDIARMID JR.
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Sexist? No. Outrageous? Yes, say activists who staged a "men-only" fish fry to publicize a new report on the dangers of mercury.

Mercury, which is emitted through the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants and accumulates in fish, is a particular concern for women of childbearing age. They can irreparably damage fetuses by eating too much contaminated fish.

Hence, the tongue-in-cheek "men only" restriction on Thursday's picnic on the banks of the Rouge River in Southfield.

The report, issued by the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan and based on federal statistics, shows the number of states with mercury advisories has grown from 27 to 43 in the last 10 years.

In Michigan, for example, the state's department of Community Health advises young women and children younger than 15 to eat no more than one meal per month of bass or northern pike from inland lakes.

Clustered around a red Weber grill, PIRGIM workers cooked walleye, lake trout and catfish and called for the rejection of President George Bush's "Clear Skies" air pollution reduction plan. It would eliminate current Clean Air Act mercury safeguards and give power plants too much leeway in tightening up emissions, they contend.

Erin Smith, a PIRGIM spokeswoman, also called on Gov. Jennifer Granholm to institute a complete phase-out of mercury emissions by 2020.

Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said aggressive steps are in motion to get a better handle on the mercury problem in Michigan's lakes and streams:

A panel of experts is working with the auto industry to help eliminate the use of mercury in automobile switches.

A work group within the Department of Environmental Quality is to present recommendations on testing and monitoring programs for mercury in Michigan's environment. It also will provide suggestions on how to reduce power plant emissions.

The governor has ordered creation of a stakeholders group whose members will represent interests affected by mercury use and pollution.

"The governor recognizes the concern and has taken significant action on this issue," said Boyd.

Dr.Michael Harbut, an environmental medicine specialist in Royal Oak, said tougher mercury standards would benefit public health. He advises his young female patients to avoid fish altogether.

"In the last couple years, data has emerged that shows that far lower levels of mercury is harmful to a fetus," he said.

For Michigan's fish consumption advisory standards, call 800-648-6942 or go to www.michigan.gov/mdch/ and click on "statistics and reports" then "published reports" and "Michigan fish advisory."

Contact HUGH McDIARMID JR. at 248-586-2611 or mcdiarmidjr@freepress.com.

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