Patrick Leahy: “the risks and health effects of mercury contamination continue to be serious and immediate. We have known about mercury…”

“the risks and health effects of mercury contamination continue to be serious and immediate. We have known about mercury pollution for many years. It remains one of, if not the last of, the major toxic pollutants without a comprehensive plan to control its spread. We know where the sources contributing to mercury contamination are, we have a pretty good idea where it goes, and we definitely know what harm it causes to people and to wildlife. Yet, serious contamination continues. That is why I am reintroducing important legislation today to confront this problem directly. The most serious threat of mercury pollution is to our children. Just this week, the Environmental Protection Agency finally released their report, ``American's Children and the Environment: Measures of Contaminants, Body Burdens and Illnesses.'' The report should alarm all of us. It highlights the neurological harm that can come to children exposed to elevated mercury levels while in the womb and during the first years of their lives. As more mercury is dumped into our environment, more children will be at risk. Today, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 12 women of childbearing age has mercury levels above the safe health threshold established by EPA. Although the report comes nine months late, it does highlight a serious gap between the Administration's ``Clear Skies'' proposal and the Leahy/Snowe bill when it comes to reducing mercury levels.”