Letters to the Editor: Mercury poisoning and more

Letter 1:

The Green Guide may have saved my life! I read your information regarding mercury in fish, and asked my doctor to do a blood test for mercury. It was high! My husband is a fisherman, so we figured it was the almost daily diet of striped bass one summer that did it. I do not eat large predator fish anymore, and my blood mercury levels are normal. I also had my mercury fillings removed. Congressman Tom Allen and his staff worked hard to try and get laws enacted regarding old coal power plant modernization, but I don't know if that's happened yet.

Lizzy Poole

York, Maine

The Green Guide writes:

Mercury, a toxic heavy metal that can harm the brain and nervous system, is used in some thermometers and other medical devices, batteries, automobile headlamps and light switches, fluorescent lights, thermostats and "silver" amalgam dental fillings. Mercury enters the air and water through coal-burning plants, trash incinerators and medical and dental waste. According to Mark Sullivan, communications director for Congressman Allen, mercury reduction and cleaner power-plant legislation is before the U.S. House of Representatives.The state of Maine, though, along with Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, has enacted mercury-control laws.

According to the American Dental Association, amalgam fillings are safe, but the CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry says that some mercury is released from them. As a precaution, pregnant women, children under six and those with immune-system problems may want to ask for fillings made of composite plastics, ceramic or gold instead. Both groups strongly advise against removal of amalgam fillings, except when one has allergies or health risks due to high mercury levels in the body.

Resources

For a list of safest fish to eat, see www.thegreenguide.com. And look for eco-friendly wild Pacific salmon, now in season!

Find non-mercury thermometers at CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Wal-Mart and Eckerd stores

The Congressional switchboard (202-224-3121) can patch you through to your representatives to ask for action on mercury.

For more info, see "Heavy Metal Harm" at www.emagazine.com, and www.noharm.org.

Letter 2:

Summer's here, and surf's up. But how to be sure the water is free of harmful contaminants?

Tom Ivey

Redondo Beach, California

The Green Guide writes:

Check out the annual beach reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) and Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.org). After heavy rains, which may cause sewage and industrial runoff into water bodies, check with your state health departments before swimming (look under state govt. in your phone book).