Press Release
November 17, 2009

ANGARA CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST MERCURY HAZARDS

Concerned of the health hazards that threaten the lives of many Filipinos, Sen. Edgardo J. Angara urges the Senate to enact the Mercury Reduction Act of 2007 to reduce and eventually eliminate the circulation of mercury-containing products in the country. Said bill mandates proper disposal systems to avoid adverse impact on health and on the environment.

The bill calls for measures to curb mercury hazards: by switching from mercury-using products and processes to non-mercury alternatives, controlling mercury release, and implementing proper mercury waste management.

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, dental fillings, blood pressure devices, lab chemicals, cleaning products, batteries, even in the light bulbs and switches in our homes," said Angara who chairs the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE)..

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."

Mercury causes grave health hazards ranging from mild tremors, change in vision and hearing, insomnia, weakness, memory lapses, headaches, irritability, nervousness, to damage of the nervous system especially in developing fetuses and death. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) revealed that mercury threshold on fish has long exceeded in Asian countries such as the Philippines.

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.

"We have two main sources of mercury pollution: mined mercury deposits and use of mercury in gold extraction by a crude method of mixing. Man-made sources of mercury come from airborne particles released from burnt coal, oil or natural or burnt waste containing mercury. Water is polluted with mercury through industrial waste or sewage, which is then consumed by fish and eventually moves up into the [human] food chain," Angara stressed.

Under this bill manufacturers and wholesalers may not supply mercury-added products to the public without first notifying the DENR of the amount of mercury on such products, the total annual amount of mercury in their products circulating in the market and the specific purpose that such mercury content serves. They are also mandated to disclose such mercury content to their consumers through proper labeling on their products, with sufficient information.

The bill creates the Environmental Advisory Council to report and develop protective measures from contamination especially for pregnant women, children and fishermen; and draft ways to eliminate non-essential use of mercury in various operations.

Two years into effect of this Act, manufacturers and wholesalers will be no longer allowed to sell mercury-added products in the country. The former may apply for exemption to the DENR provided they prove that such products meet the essential-use requirements and that there is no comparable, feasible substitute alternative to such mercury-added products. In addition, mercury-containing toys, ornaments, cosmetics, apparel and novelties will be permanently banned for sale in the country. A year into effect, thermometers with mercury will be prohibited from sale, and the use of such will also no longer be allowed to be used in school science laboratories.

"Considering the effects of mercury, it is high time that measures of vigilance in the circulation of mercury in the environment are put forward in order to avoid any health hazards that our people may suffer from," Sen. Angara concludes.

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