Number: 2005-08
Eliminating Mercury Pollution WHEREAS, mercury is a persistent, bioaccumulative and highly toxic pollutant; and
WHEREAS, health warnings issued in 46 U.S. states and territories advise people to reduce or avoid consumption of certain fresh water and marine fish due to mercury contamination; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than 630,000 U.S. children are born annually who are at risk for learning disabilities or other neurological impairments due to mercury exposure they received in the womb; and
WHEREAS, research has established that mercury poses serious threats to the reproductive success and wellbeing of certain fish and other wildlife, including bald eagles, mallard ducks, common loons, terns, otters, mink, panthers, and alligators; and
WHEREAS, “cap and trade” pollution control mechanisms focus on reducing overall pollutant loadings, a result that is appropriate where ambient pollution levels are relatively uniform across wide geographic areas; however, mercury pollution from power plants frequently results in localized pollution “hot spots” that pose health risks to fish, wildlife, and individuals who consume those fish and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, mercury is still widely used in the manufacture of thermostats, medical instruments, lighting, electrical switches, dental amalgams, and other products, as well as in the U.S. manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda; and
WHEREAS, mercury-free substitutes exist for many of the products that currently employ mercury; and
WHEREAS, the use and disposal of products made with or containing mercury is a major source of mercury pollution in the U.S. and globally; and
WHEREAS, states are the laboratory of democracy and must act in the absence of federal leadership to protect citizens from mercury exposure; and
WHEREAS, phasing out toxic pollution such as mercury can function as a catalyst for innovation and economic growth; and
WHEREAS fugitive mercury from historical mining operations is a pervasive source of mercury contamination at locations throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, power plants are a large contributor to mercury pollution in our rivers and lakes;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), at its annual meeting assembled April 1-2, 2005, in Washington, D.C., supports state and federal legislation that will:
Phase out the sale, use, and improper disposal of mercury containing products that have proven non-mercury substitutes; ensure that consumers have sufficient information on labels to make educated decisions about purchasing products with mercury components; prohibit the disposal of mercury in municipal solid waste facilities or incinerators; and require limited use of mercury in dental amalgam as a dental input and require retrieval and proper disposal of dental amalgam as a waste product at dental offices; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NWF encourages state governments to develop stringent and enforceable mercury-reduction laws — exceeding federal standards when technologically feasible — for all sources of mercury emissions, including but not limited to power plant emissions and waste incinerator emissions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NWF opposes the adoption of cap and trade programs as a substitute for the consistent application of best technology for the control of toxic mercury pollution from power plants.