Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services New Recommendations For A Mercury Toxicity Profile

April 19, 1999

[Sen. Patrick Leahy (DVt.) is one of the foremost Congressional experts on the dangers of mercury pollution. Leahy is the author a comprehensive mercury pollution bill, and on March 25, in a letter to HHS Secretary Donna Shalala, he urged her to review the HHS's Agency For Toxic Substances And Disease Registry (ATSDR) proposed weakening of the mercury "toxicity profile" and to consider postponing release of the profile. A copy of Leahy's letter to the Secretary is available upon request.]

"It is ironic that on the eve of Earth Day, the agency in charge of health for our country would release such a dramatic relaxation in the reference dose for this toxic pollutant. This decision is particularly baffling in the face of the strong opposition in the public health and scientific communities, and with a Congressionally-mandated process in place for evaluating all sides of the issue. The department could have taken an important step toward protecting the public health and clarifying a confusing standard.

"It is disappointing that ATSDR chose to release its toxicity profile for mercury rather than submitting its work to the ongoing mercury study directed by the National Academy of Sciences. ATSDR's decision is unfortunate and it will only cause more confusion about the appropriate mercury reference dose. Those who have the most at stake in this debate -- pregnant women and their fetuses, women of child bearing age, and children -- would have been better served had ATSDR chosen to participate in the academy study. Instead of the potential for a uniform standard, it is likely that we will continue to face unresolved differences in the mercury reference dose. The bureaucratic gridlock that has prevented controlling this potent pollutant will be needlessly and indefinitely prolonged."