Connecticut
Zero Mercury Campaign
Given the serious health effects of mercury, the Connecticut Zero Mercury Campaign, as a part of the New England Zero Mercury Campaign, includes public health, environmental, and religious organizations in six states that are working to forward the two goals of the campaign:
- Eliminate the use and emission of mercury in the region by 2010
- Protect children and adults from existing harmful levels of mercury contamination in fish through effective health warnings and education.
Mercury is a very dangerous neurotoxin; even exposures to low levels can permanently damage the brain and nervous system and cause behavioral changes. People are most commonly exposed to mercury by eating contaminated fish, and Connecticut has a fish consumption advisory for every fresh water waterway in the state.
According to a 2000 study by the Centers for Disease Control, one in ten women of childbearing age is at risk of having newborns with neurological problems due to mercury exposure.
The Path of Mercury - From thermometer to fetus:
When products containing mercury are burned (1, 2), mercury is released into the atmosphere. The mercury then settles into water where it is absorbed by fish (3) that may be ingested by humans (4, 5)
In May 2002, the Connecticut legislature passed HB 5539: An Act Concerning Mercury Education And Reduction. This bill will phase out certain products containing mercury and in the meantime, these products must be labeled as containing mercury.
The current focus of the campaign is to prevent mercury exposure by promoting effective health warnings.
This is done by educating physicians about the dangers of mercury and asking them to educate their patients.
more information and ways to get involved...
- For more information about the Zero Mercury Campaign or to volunteer, call 860-232-6232 or email Roger Smith: rsmith@cleanwater.org
- Download a sample letter and ask your doctor to get involved
- View the CT Dept. of Health Mercury Advisory
- Download the Zero Mercury Campaign fact sheet (PDF)
- Visit the New England Zero Mercury Campaign website
- If you are associated with an organization that agrees with the CT Zero Mercury Campaign goals (see above) and might endorse it, please download the endorsement packet (PDF).
- The Mercury Policy Project works to reduce mercury exposures at the local, national, and international levels.
- Read more about the mercury phase-out bill, HB 5539 on the CT General Assembly site
- View the CT Zero Mercury Coalition (PDF) members
