ANGARA WARNS AGAINST MERCURY HAZARDS

Recognizing the harmful effects of mercury-containing products on public health, Senator Edgardo J. Angara today urged his colleagues in the Senate to act on the bill that will help curb mercury hazards: by switching from mercury-using products and processes to non-mercury alternatives, controlling mercury release, and implementing proper mercury waste management.

"Mercury (Hg) is a bio-accumulative toxin that poses significant risk to human health, wildlife and the environment. It can cause serious damage to the nervous system in developing fetus, even death, in exposed adults," Angara stressed.

The US Environmental Protection warns that mercury is a potent neurotoxin that affects the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. "But these days, mercury is everywhere - in thermometers, blood pressure devices, lab chemicals, cleaning products, even in the light bulbs and switches in our homes," he said.

Angara called for the creation of an Environmental Advisory Council on Mercury Pollution that will handle matters relating to the prevention and clean-up of mercury pollution and the reduction in human exposure to mercury.

Referring to the health sector, Angara added, "it is ironic that the very sector supposed ensure human and environmental wellbeing is actually the fourth largest source of mercury air emissions."

He further warned of the environmental threat posed by mercury, saying that the amount of Hg in one thermometer, when diffused in an aquatic environment, can pollute a 20-acre lake and kill living organisms.

"In the Philippines, aside from the mercury in health care products, the two main sources of mercury pollution are mining and gold extraction. There are about 100,000 people in Luzon and Mindanao engaged in gold mining. For every gram of gold retrieved, two to five grams of mercury are released into the environment which threatens to pollute our rivers and agricultural areas," Angara said.

Angara filed a bill in the Senate which seeks to 1) control the sale of elemental mercury, 2) impose proper labeling of products containing mercury, 3) phase out products with mercury content, 4) ban mercury-containing toys, games, cosmetics and apparel, 5) ban the sale and distribution of Hg thermometers, 6) ban mercury in school laboratories, and 7) promote public education and information on the hazards posed by mercury.