Mercury Poisoning Prevention

Mercury—found in many consumer and industrial products—poses serious threats to those exposed to it. It is nearly impossible to detect and few are aware of its toxic properties. Thousands of Americans unnecessarily put themselves and others at risk of mercury poisoning.1

At high levels, metallic mercury causes significant damage to the central nervous system. Even at low levels, mercury can cause tremors, changes in vision or hearing, insomnia, weakness, difficulty with memory, headache, irritability and nervousness. Exposure to mercury is especially dangerous for young children, whose immune systems are not yet fully developed.2 Poisoning may occur when products that contain mercury leak, break or spill.

Americans commonly throw products that contain mercury into trash systems that are not equipped to handle it, and the mercury eventually reenters our water. Once mercury enters a waterway, bacteria absorb it and convert it to a form called methyl mercury. This transition is particularly significant for humans, who absorb methyl mercury easily and are especially vulnerable to its effects. Mercury then works its way up the food chain as large fish consume contaminated smaller fish. Instead of dissolving or breaking down, mercury accumulates at ever-increasing levels. Predatory fish such as large tuna, swordfish, shark and mackerel can have mercury concentrations in their bodies that are 10,000 times higher than those of their surrounding habitat.3 Boomerang poisoning occurs when humans eat these mercury-contaminated fish. Endangered wildlife, including eagles, also suffer sickness and death as a result of eating mercury-contaminated fish.

States can dramatically lower mercury poisoning by restricting mercury use and mandating proper disposal and labeling. Since appropriate substitutes are available for nearly all current consumer and industry uses of mercury, reducing the sale, distribution, manufacture, and disposal of mercury-containing products will lower the odds of mercury poisoning without unduly burdening businesses.4 Additionally, since consumers need education about the toxicity of mercury in products and in the environment, states should also require product labeling, exposure warnings, and community outreach on how to properly dispose of mercury-containing goods.

Specifically, this legislation directs the state government to

Thirteen states (CA, CT, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NY, OR, RI, WA) have passed legislation that includes at least some of the Mercury Poisoning Reduction Act’s provisions.