April 21, 2003
Analysis of S. 616,
the Mercury Reduction Act of 2003
BY THE CHILDREN’S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH NETWORK
The bill, introduced by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and
nine other Senators, amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act
to reduce the quantity of mercury in the environment. An
identical bill was unanimously adopted by the Senate in
the last Congress.
Background: Mercury occurs in the environment in a number
of forms, of which methylmercury is of greatest
consequence to the health of children. Methylmercury is a
potent developmental neurotoxicant. Human exposure to
methylmercury, especially for infants, children and
pregnant women, is a grave concern. Methylmercury
interferes with brain development and more easily passes
into the brains of fetuses and young children than into
those of adults. Methylmercury exposure also is linked to
kidney and immune system toxicity.
In July 2000, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
published a comprehensive assessment on methylmercury
that provided the best assessment to date of
mercury’s risk. It estimated that each year more
than 60,000 children are born at risk for
neurodevelopmental problems associated with in-utero
mercury exposure. The NAS recommended that every effort
should be made to reduce the release of mercury into the
environment.
Most environmental releases of mercury are in elemental
or inorganic forms, which also are very toxic. Mercury in
its pure form is a silvery liquid at room temperature
that readily volatilizes and can traverse the globe long
distances once it is released into the air. Once in the
environment, any form of mercury can enter the food chain
when microbes transform it into methylmercury, which in
turn bioaccumulates up the food chain. This process is
seen especially in aquatic environments. Extremely small
amounts of mercury released into the environment can have
devastating effects. According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), the quantity of mercury in one
mercury fever thermometer -- approximately one gram -- is
enough to contaminate all fish in a lake with a surface
area of 20 acres.
Methylmercury-contaminated fish are the most common and
serious route of exposure. Currently, 42 states have
issued consumption advisories for recreationally caught
fish and 10 states have also issued advisories for
commercially caught fish. Of particular concern is
exposure to women who are or may become pregnant, as well
as exposure to very young children. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention has reported that blood
mercury levels in young children (1-5) are within the
range of safety, however, a large number of women of
childbearing age have mercury levels that are above the
“safe” level identified by the NAS.
Mercury fever thermometers represent the largest
household source of mercury. In the early 1990s, such
thermometers contributed approximately 17 tons of mercury
to solid waste annually, according to the EPA. The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the
purchase of mercury thermometers.
Products that contain mercury must be properly handled
and disposed of in an appropriate manner. Improper
clean-up of a mercury release, such as vacuuming up the
mercury from a broken thermometer, will spread the
mercury into the air.
Thermometer Sales: The bill prohibits the sales of
mercury fever thermometers to consumers, except by
prescription, and requires that any such thermometer sold
include information about proper handling to prevent
breakage and proper clean-up in the event of breakage.
Thermometer Exchange Program: The bill would encourage
consumers to exchange liquid mercury fever thermometers
for non-mercury thermometers by directing EPA to set up
and run a national thermometer exchange program.
The bill also creates a grant program to support the
exchange program with a one-time authorization of $19
million for the collection and exchange of mercury fever
thermometers. An additional $1 million/year for EPA for
the safe management and storage of mercury is also
authorized.
Long-term Management Of Mercury: The bill creates a Task
Force on Mercury consisting of relevant Federal
department heads to develop a plan for the long-term
management of surplus mercury. Within 13 months after
this bill is enacted, the task force is to report to
Congress with recommendations on how to store mercury,
reduce its threat to humans and the environment, and to
reduce the amount of mercury produced, used, and released
on a global basis.
The EPA is given the responsibility for collecting and
storing mercury as well as for the research and
development of a permanent means for safely disposing of
mercury.
The bill authorizes $500,000 for the task force and
$500,000 for research.
Stronger State Standards Allowed: State governments are
not precluded from imposing more stringent requirements.
Positive features of S. 616:
1. Decreasing the amount of mercury released in the
environment will mean less risk to children from exposure
to mercury.
2. Establishing a coordinated governmental program for
gathering, sequestering, and decreasing the use and
release of mercury into the environment (including
research and development) is a commendable and
long-needed approach for this toxicant.
3. Since feasible alternatives to mercury thermometers
are available and affordable, it is an effective use of
resources to encourage an exchange program for consumers.
4. The approach created in this bill may provide a
framework and guidance for other toxicants and for other
mercury-containing products.
5. The bill appropriately allows states to enact stronger
requirements if they wish.
Concerns about S. 616:
1. The bill does not address other mercury-containing
products.
2. The funds authorized for research and development may
be inadequate.
Goldman, L. R. and M. W. Shannon (2001). “Technical
report: mercury in the environment: implications for
pediatricians.” Pediatrics 108(1): 197-205.
National Research Council (2000). Toxicological Effects
of Methylmercury. Washington, DC, National Academies
Press.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Mercury
Fact Sheet, US Department of Health and Human Services,
Public Health Service, September 1995.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003). Second
National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental
Chemicals. Atlanta, CDC.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Handbook of Pediatric
Environmental Health, 1999, p. 152
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