Back to Archives	ASNH Environmental Policy Issues
	TURNING UP THE HEAT ON MERCURY

by Julian Zelazny
ASNH Environmental Policy Director

Climate change or mercury? Mercury or climate change? While they are very different issues, with very different environmental effects, there are some common elements: both have serious potential long-term consequences and both involve complex environmental processes. Background on mercury Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. It is a naturally occurring element that is found in the environment in trace amounts. In recent decades, the amount of mercury present in the environment has increased. The main sources of this excess mercury are medical and municipal waste combustors, coal and oil-fired electric power plants, and oil-burning home heating systems. This summer, the New Hampshire Office of Community and Public Health (OCPH) issued a revised human health warning regarding the risk of exposure to mercury from the consumption of freshwater fish. The new guidelines are more specific than the old ones. The following guidelines are for freshwater fish: Pregnant and nursing women, women who may get pregnant: one eight-ounce meal per month Children under age seven: one three-ounce meal per month All other adults and children age seven and older: four eight-ounce meals per month. OCPH also issued a specific warning to everyone: Avoid eating all bass and pickerel from May Pond, Washington; Ashuelot Pond, Washington; Crystal Lake, Gilmanton. Furthermore, new guidelines were issued for the consumption of ocean fish: Pregnant and nursing women, women who may get pregnant: avoid eating swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish. For other ocean fish, limit to no more than two meals per week. For canned tuna, one can of "white" or two cans of "light" per week. Children under age seven: avoid eating swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish. For other ocean fish, limit to no more than two meals per week. For canned tuna, 1/2 can of "white" or one can of "light" per week. All other adults and children age seven and older: no limits as part of a balanced diet. Wildlife impacts on mecury Fish-eating species of wildlife are most at risk for mercury exposure. Otter, Osprey, and loons are often cited as the species taking the brunt of the mercury contamination. In fact, data provided by our own Loon Preservation Committee shows that blood mercury levels in loons are rising at an alarming 10% annually. Furthermore, we now know that loon reproductivity has already been affected, with the discovery of abandoned loon eggs that contain such high levels of mercury as to render them inviable. What can you do about mercury? You can avoid mercury emissions by taking mercury-containing products out of your trash and disposing of them at a recycling center or household hazardous waste day. These items include "button" batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, thermometers, wall-mounted thermostats, and novelty sneakers that light up when you walk. If you have oil heat in your home, you can reduce your mercury emissions by augmenting your home heating with wood, solar, or additional insulation. And, since electricity generation is responsible for mercury emissions, conservation of electricity will reduce mercury emissions. How is this connected to climate change? Climate change is caused by changing the mixture of gases in our atmosphere. Specifically, carbon-containing gases are responsible for trapping heat that would otherwise radiate out into space. Excess carbon compounds in the atmosphere lead to excess heat retention globally. Climate change is currently causing iceberg shrinkage, the recession of polar ice caps, and the loss of ice on mountain peaks throughout the world. In New Hampshire, it is expected to cause the loss of coastal lands, changes in tree species, including the loss of sugar maples, the loss of coldwater fish species, and changes in insect, mammal, and bird species. Carbon-containing gases are released when we burn carbon-containing substances such as fossil fuels. Gasoline, coal, and oil are all carbon-containing fuels that produce (among other things) carbon dioxide, or CO2, when burned. These gases enter our atmosphere and contribute to the phenomenon of global climate change. Unlike most other pollutants, there is no current end-of-pipe technology that will remove the CO2 or prevent it from forming. Therefore, the only real way to control carbon gases is to burn less fuel, which we can do by practicing energy conservation. Driving more fuel efficient cars and reducing consumption of electricity are the best ways to reduce CO2 emissions. Mercury or climate change? By conserving electrical power, you can reduce emissions of both mercury and carbon-containing gases. But that's not all! You'll also save money. There are numerous ways that you can save electricity around your home and office. Insulate your electric hot water heater. Hang your laundry out to dry, rather than use an electric dryer (it works in the winter, too, if you're hardy enough to do it). Turn off the lights when you leave a room and turn off the television if nobody is watching it. Buy energy-saving appliances that save you money in the long run, and replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. The compact fluorescent bulb catch-22 Compact fluorescent bulbs are wonderful energy savers. They only use about 20% of the electricity of a regular bulb, so even at their higher cost they save you money in the long run. They now come in soft white light and fit into almost any fixture. They also save on emissions of mercury and carbon compounds. But, as stated above, they are mercury-containing products! So when your compact fluorescent bulb has reached the end of its useful life, don't break it! Take it to a fluorescent bulb recycling drop-off or to household hazardous waste day. Final actions Lastly, please support legislative initiatives, both state and federal, to reduce emissions of mercury and carbon compounds into the environment. Encourage friends and neighbors to conserve energy and keep New Hampshire healthy and beautiful for future generations of wildlife and people.