Mercury is a dangerous toxin that has become widespread throughout our
environment. Coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, chlor-alkali
plants, and other U.S. sources dump 150 tons of mercury per year into
our air. Much of the mercury in the air returns to earth, contaminating
our lakes and streams as methylmercury, a powerful neurotoxin.
Methylmercury accumulates in fish, which is especially hazardous to the
people and wildlife that eat these fish. In 2002, 45 states issued more
than 2,000 fish consumption warnings because of mercury contamination.
Advisories for mercury increased 11 percent from 2001 to 2002 (1,933 to 2,140)
and increased 138 percent from 1993 to 2002 (899 to 2,140). Large predatory
ocean fish, such as swordfish, shark, and large tuna, can also have
dangerous levels of methylmercury.
While national policies have been successful at reducing mercury
emissions from medical and municipal waste incinerators by over 90
percent
since 1990, mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants (the largest
remaining sources) remains completely unregulated. As our country
continues to grow mercury pollution from power plants is predicted to
increase with increased electrical demand, which is why it is so
important that we do something now to reduce this pollution. Up until
the spring of 2003, EPA was working toward finalizing an effective
regulatory policy to reduce mercury from power plants by over 90 percent
beginning in 2008. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration unilaterally
derailed this goal and EPA instead proposed a rule in January 2004 that
rolls back the progress and will at best reduce emissions by 70 percent but not
until 2018. Under the Bush proposal yet another entire generation will
have to be exposed to unhealthy levels of mercury and women and pregnant
mothers will continue to worry about safety of the fish they want to
feed their family.
Vermonters recognize the threat posed by mercury, and we have taken
proactive steps to reduce our exposure. Our product labeling law and our
thermometer exchange program are examples to other states. But the most
forward-thinking state laws cannot prevent mercury pollution from
drifting across our borders to contaminate our lakes and streams.
Although Vermont has no major sources of mercury, we are forced to issue
statewide advisories against fish consumption to protect public health.
This situation is unacceptable, and I have led the fight in Congress
to reduce mercury pollution and protect public health. Working with my
colleagues in the Senate, I have introduced legislation that would
greatly reduce mercury emissions and would warn consumers about the
levels of mercury in fish they buy at the grocery store. I have pushed
EPA to move forward with mercury controls, and I have pushed FDA to
protect consumers. I remain committed to solving this problem.
