Protecting Ourselves from Mercury Created by: Mercury-Free Minnesota BE SAFE MN Preventing Harm MN

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 Emissions Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency March ,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12, YEAR 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?

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: 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!

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

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

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

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We must prevent mercury pollution to protect our children!