 |
 |
More Poison For Your Food? March 07. 2004 12:00AM Mercury belongs in thermometers, not humans. But the Bush administration doesn't seem all that worried about the dangers this poison poses. It's trying to gut rules that would curb the mercury spewed from power plants. The Bush proposal not only would allow plants to pollute more than under the existing goal (a 70-percent cut instead of a 90-percent one), it would extend the deadline to 2018 – long after Mr. Bush will have left office. In other words, the deadline would be all but meaningless. At one of only three hearings scheduled around the country to discuss weakening the rules, a top North Carolina air- pollution official testified on behalf of two national organizations that represent officials in 53 states and territories, as well as more than 165 metropolitan areas. Brock Nicholson called the administration's proposed mercury limits "extremely weak" and the time allowed for compliance "extremely protracted." In fact, he said, it could take even longer than that, because the administration's legal tactics would invite lawsuits. In addition, Mr. Nicholson noted, the administration's proposal to set mercury limits for the nation as a whole and allow plants to "trade" the right to pollute would allow "local hot spots." If mercury were a minor irritant, that would be one thing. But, as Mr. Nicholson pointed out, it's a powerful nerve poison that accumulates in the food chain and thus in people. A Raleigh physician who specializes in treating metal poisoning reminded the hearing that mercury is linked to many serious health problems, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and heart disease. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and health authorities in 45 states and Canada advise limiting the consumption of fish that are prone to mercury pollution. In North Carolina, they include shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, blackfish, largemouth bass and chain pickerel caught south and east of Interstate 85. The doctor said that, "For our government for some reason to think we can tolerate more mercury is ludicrous and incomprehensible." Strong words. But they apply to many of this president's environmental and health policies. SOURCE: Wilmington Morning Star, NC http://tinyurl.com/2qtg9 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn