March 5, 2004, Jefferson City
Mercury Bill Seeks to Address Health Concerns in Fish Advisories 

Representative Barbara Wall Fraser (D-University City) introduced a bill this week to address the growing mercury pollution in our state waterways. This legislation establishes an emissions fee for large producers of mercury pollutants. A statewide health warning alerting Missourians that every stream and lake in Missouri is contaminated with mercury was posted in 2002. The Department of Health and Senior Services confirms the advisory is still in effect for 2004. These advisories urge people to avoid or limit consumption of fish due to high levels of mercury. “Children and women of childbearing age are at greatest risk,” explains Rep. Fraser.

Mercury is a highly toxic chemical that affects the central nervous system in the developing brains of unborn fetuses and very young. Poor attention span, impaired memory and vision, problems processing information, and impaired fine motor coordination are the negative effects associated with mercury exposure.

A recent study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one out of twelve women of childbearing years in the U.S. have unsafe levels of mercury in their blood. Approximately 300,000 children are born each year with a heightened risk for neurological and developmental problems related to mercury exposure. Even more recently, the EPA stated that this is an understatement of mercury exposure and that as many as 630,000 children may be born each year with unhealthy levels of mercury in their blood. “This is an unacceptable and unnecessary risk that needs to be addressed,” reiterates Fraser. The intent of this bill is to encourage power plants to reduce mercury pollution.

The largest sources of industrial mercury emissions in Missouri are oil and coal burning power plants. The EPA has estimated that mercury emissions could be reduced by 90 percent with existing technologies.

Fishermen and environmentalists are applauding Rep. Fraser for her efforts. “Clean air, clean water, and safe fish are goals we should all support,” stated Bob Temper from the Ozark Flyfishers. Other supporting organizations include: the American Fisheries Society- Missouri Chapter, Heartland Renewable Energy, League of Women Voters, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, and the Sierra Club. Sierra Club Director Carla Klein states that, “A clean healthy environment is essential for all Missouri citizens and a benefit to our economy.” Fraser states, “By addressing these serious health threats from mercury emissions with the fee, it is our hope that major producers will install the available technology to reduce this threat.”