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October 6, 2009
Contact:
Amber Meyer Smith, Program Director
608.251.7020 ext. 16, 608.347.6026 (cell)
Mercury Products Bill Signed into Law by Governor Doyle
Implementation of Law is a Victory for Wisconsin Waters and will Protect Public Health
Madison, WI – Fish from Wisconsin waters may soon
be healthier to eat after Governor Doyle signed the Mercury Products Bill
today, a law prohibiting the use of toxic mercury in non-essential products.
"Toxic mercury pollution leaches into our lakes, rivers and streams, endangering
the health of our families and threatening the vitality our state's strong
fishing industry," said Amber Meyer Smith, program director at Clean Wisconsin,
the state's largest environmental advocacy organization. "Today's signing
of the Mercury Products Bill is a significant environmental victory that
will help protect our families and preserve our environment for future
generations to enjoy."
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources currently lists every inland
body of water in Wisconsin under a fish consumption advisory as a result
of mercury contamination. Chronic exposure to mercury results in memory
loss, speech difficulties, troubles with vision, and cardiovascular problems
in adults. Children and the unborn exposed to mercury can face neurological
damage that impairs development, leads to low intelligence and inhibits
school performance.
Mercury enters Wisconsin waters from coal plant pollution or from household
and industrial products such as toys, games, jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics
and switches. An administrative rule passed in 2008 will help substantially
reduce mercury pollution derived from coal plants, while the law signed
today will help reduce the 6600 pounds of mercury that enter Wisconsin
waters each year through household and industrial products.
"In a state where fishing is a deeply ingrained cultural tradition as well
as an important economic driver, it's unfortunate that we must question
the health of our families before eating fish out of Wisconsin waters,"
said Smith. "The law signed today will protect our fishing industry and
represents an important step toward healthier lakes, rivers and streams
in our state."
The DNR estimates that Wisconsin's fishing industry brings $2.3 billion
of revenue to the state and directly employs more than 25,000 individuals.
"When our lakes, rivers and streams became so polluted with mercury that
fish became unsafe to eat, it was evident that action must be taken," said
Smith. "We applaud our leaders in the Capitol for recognizing the magnitude
of this problem and acting to protect our health, our environment, and
our fishing industry by reducing mercury pollution."
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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin's clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. Phone: 608-251-7020, Fax: 608-251-1655, Email: information@cleanwisconsin.org, Website: www.cleanwisconsin.org.