ANA and NJSNA Speak Out on Mercury Pollution, The

New Jersey Nurse, May/Jun 2004 by Long, Karen

According to the FDA, mercury occurs naturally in the environment and it can also be released into the air through industrial pollution. Mercury falls from the air and can get into surface water, accumulating in streams and oceans. Bacteria in the water cause chemical changes that transform mercury into methylmercury that can be toxic. Fish absorb methylmercury from water as they feed on aquatic organisms. It is this methylmercury that has become a major environmental and public health crisis.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) and the New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) have called on federal and state agencies to find ways and means to lower mercury pollution. The two associations went on record in public hearings on the pollution problem.

Last December 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly announced a draft advisory on fish consumption calling for pregnant women and children to reduce their consumption of fish because of the high levels of mercury found in them. At the same time the EPA, weakened environmental protections that in the long run could make fish advisories obsolete.

NJ DEP Holds Hearings

On March 4th of this year, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held public hearings on Governor McGreevey's proposed plan to protect children from mercury. This plan would reduce toxic mercury emissions by power plants, waste incinerators, and iron/steel scrap-melters. The rules also contain standards for medical waste incinerators that are already being met by the three facilities operating in New Jersey.

The New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) had the opportunity to testify at these hearings along with members from organizations such as the Children's Health Environmental Coalition, the New Jersey Coalition for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities, the March of Dimes, Central NJ Maternal and Child Health Consortium, and the New Jersey Obstetrical and Gynecological Society to name a few. NJSNA supports the efforts of Governor McGreevey to hold New Jersey to a higher standard in environmental health than that of the federal government.

NJSNA is committed to working with state and federal agencies, legislators and policy makers to reduce and where feasible eliminate the use of mercury containing products in all industries. NJSNA would like to see a reduction in methylmercury from all point sources whether from the health care industry or other mercury emitting industries such as power plants, waste incinerators, and iron/steel scrap-melters.

ANA Stance

At a March 16th press conference held by Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) Barbara Blakeney, The American Nurses Association (ANA) President, joined with other health professionals and health advocacy groups in opposing the EPA's Plan to weaken current mercury standards under the Clean Air Act. Instead of reducing toxic mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 90% by 2008 the proposed EPA rule would delay reductions for 15 years or longer.

Ms. Blakeney spoke of studies that show that more than 60,000 children a year suffer from learning disabilities caused by mercury exposures before birth. She noted that the health care industry has already significantly reduced mercury pollution by 90% and in many hospitals have phased out mercury-containing devices like thermometers and blood-pressure cuffs (sphygmomanometers).

By Karen Long, RN