July 26, 2006
MIMBY – Mercury in My Backyard (and Yours!)
BY: Andy Sharpless
Conservation groups have spent the last few years fighting to make sure that FDA warnings about mercury are actually shared with consumers and we’re starting to have some real success in getting the message out. Many consumers, especially expecting mothers, now know about these warnings and are closely monitoring which – and how much – seafood they eat in a given week to avoid mercury contamination. But as the New York Times reports, a recent study shows that mercury has spread further than previously thought.
This “eye opening” study tested songbirds in New York and found that EVERY ONE had elevated levels of mercury – meaning that mercury is now literally finding its way into our backyards. Check it out (registration required).