Mercury Contamination Moves Beyond Fish (Every Link of Food Chain)

[RamboLiberal]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=2459581&page=1

Mercury contamination is making its way into nearly every habitat in the United States, not just oceans, according to a report that the National Wildlife Federation will release Tuesday.

The problem with high mercury levels in certain types of fish has been well documented, resulting in 46 states issuing advisories for pregnant women and children to avoid eating certain types of fish, including tuna and swordfish. High levels of mercury can lead to a wide range of physical ills, including kidney and neurological damage, and can cause fatigue, vision problems and tremors.

But this is the first report to expose the problem in such a wide variety of species, 40 to be exact.

The report "underscored how pervasive mercury contamination has become," according to Felice Stadler at the National Wildlife Federation. "Nearly every aspect of our food web has been contaminated. It's difficult to find an ecosystem that's not contaminated, whether it's ocean or forest or coastal waters or wetlands."

[aquart]

1. Gosh, however did that happen?

[rodeodance]

2. so this is the tip of the iceberg."

Mercury is a naturally occurring element, but people release much more mercury pollution that ends up in our forests, lakes, and streams — 100 tons in this country alone annually. The primary sources include coal-burning power plants, wastewater treatment plants and waste incinerators.

The mercury pollution is affecting the reproduction and behavior of fish and wildlife. The report's findings suggest birds with high levels of mercury lay fewer eggs, and the motor skills of certain mammals have been diminished, which affects their ability to hunt and therefore survive.

The report points out "there truly is no link in the food chain untouched by mercury," and according to Stadler, this carries broad implications for humans.

"The research shows birds that eat contaminated insects get contaminated themselves," Stadler said. "Turkeys and chickens, which humans eat, eat those same contaminated insects, so this is the tip of the iceberg."

[rodeodance]

3. buts says that states that put caps on mercury have seen reverses:-)

There is some good news in an otherwise glum report: Mercury poisoning is reversible.

Stadler pointed to several states that in recent years have taken steps to cut mercury emissions, including Florida, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

And in a much shorter time than expected, the mercury levels in those states' fish and wildlife populations have dropped

Stadler, who's been working on the issue of mercury pollution for 10 years, said she was originally told it would take 50 years before scientists would see some reversal.

"But it's happening much faster than we ever thought, five to six years," she said.

[eppur_se_muova]

19. Big thanks for highlighting that!

Preventing pollution DOES WORK! The evidence just needs to be publicized.

[hatrack]

4. And, gee, wasn't Chimpy talking just the other day about "clean coal"?

:puke: :eyes:

[pinniped]

5. These real or imagined terra-dudes don't have to worry about....

poisoning our water supply. It's already being taken care of.

[arikara]

6. And how much mercury is implanted into nearly everyone's mouth

in the form of fillings?

Avoid fish, instead simply have the neurotoxin permanently stuck to the teeth of the very same pregnant women and children.

:think:

Top it off with a shot of fluoride.

[flyarm]

8. i had all mine removed many years ago..n/t

[brentspeak]

14. Mercury fillings are a thing of the past

Polymer fillings have taken their place.

[arikara]

20. Not really

Although some dentists won't use them, mercury fillings are still common. In fact our plan doesn't pay for composites because the dental association approves mercury fillings. So we have to pay the difference.
:mad:

[fed-up]

7. k/r n/t

[leftchick]

9. 100 ton emitted in this country alone....

isn't bush rewarding coal plants with tax breaks for their emissions now? Oh how far off the track we have fallen since Carol Browner's tenure. :cry:

<snip>

Scientists found high levels of mercury in bald eagles, songbirds, polar bears and alligators, to name just a few species. Alligator meat is very popular in the southeast, but there is no advisory against eating alligator meat.

Last year Utah issued an advisory for duck hunters, warning people to limit or avoid eating certain duck species because of high levels of mercury.

Stadler said this report "raises the question of what ecosystems are safe and immune from toxic contamination."

Mercury is a naturally occurring element, but people release much more mercury pollution that ends up in our forests, lakes, and streams — 100 tons in this country alone annually. The primary sources include coal-burning power plants, wastewater treatment plants and waste incinerators.

[robbibaba]

10. Now I finally see the wisdom

of injecting it into our children via vaccines! No doubt they'll be inocculated against those dangerous effects.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

17. Geez louise.

Is "vaccine" the first thing you think of when you read "mercury?"

[populistdriven]

11. *cancelled 20 pending lawsuits against coal burners for mercury pollution

Within weeks of getting elected in 2000

That fucking asshole * has killed and maimed thousands of american kids

[hunter]

12. People with fully functional nervous systems...

... are less likely to vote for people like Bush.

[populistdriven]

13. /edit - it was 51 lawsuits

[mhatrw]

15. Let's put in all in vaccines!

That will get rid of it!

[leftchick]

16. kick

:kick:

[Robbien]

18. Of course watchdog EPA still doesn't want to regulate it

I believe they are still promoting the idea that increased levels of mercury is no bad thing.